Wishing Well

The old beer cupboard is becoming a bit low again so another order has been put into Drinkstore.ie to replenish supplies and get more ticks from the list. In the meantime, I see that Lighthouse Wines have now added a webstore that you might wish to check out. Finally it’s August Beer Club Belfast Thursday 7th (7pm at the Hudson, £10 in) featuring beers from To L – the dates have screwed me again so if you get along let me know how great it is…

Right, two more beers have been ticked off from “1001 Beers…”

 226. Traquair Jacobite Ale

Style: Scotch Ale. ABV: 8%. From: Drinkstore.ie

Description: Poured a translucent rolla-cola brown with a thin tan head that last about 2 seconds. Aroma of dried sticky fruits, spice, a little molasses/brown sugar, and boozy rum. The flavours match that: figs, prunes, cinnamon/aniseed, light chocolate, and treacle. Mid-bodied, relatively low carbonisation, and slightly sticky. The booze provides a warming rumminess throughout.

Thoughts: Definitely a beer more for Halloween that August. Still lovely though, but I have to admit I expected a wee bit more as it warmed up. A sipper that’s worth seeking out.

Score: 7.5

227. Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux

Style: Saison (or a tripel depending on your taste). ABV: 9.5%. From: Drinkstore.ie

Description: This one was lovely peach colour, hazy (this may have been more to do with my bad pouring/settling than the beer itself) with a big fluffy white head. The aroma is unripe banana esters and a yeasty doughy funk. The first taste to hit is that banana, followed up by some pepper, then a lingering grassiness and lemon rind, and finally a rustic spiciness. Jesus this thing is 9.5%... unlike the Jacobite Ale you’d never guess the strength. Light but a fair amount of carbonisation.

Thoughts: Another clinker, great summer drinker but at 9.5% one to be wary of – definitely for sharing in the big bottle form. Overall I think the DuPont Saison is a easier drinking beer beer, but certainly would advise anyone to give this a whirl.

Score: 8

I didn't take any notes, but Mark & Spencer’s (well Oakham Ale's really) Citra is great value for money in their current 3 for £6 deal – great flavour for the price. The Dirty Duck also now has Schneider Tap 1 in bottles on sale as well as their rotating list of cask ales (I say rotating but mainly it’s a mix of Shepherd’s Neame and Hilden stuff – though their ale festival later this month is likely to bring a few more options forward and I hope to get down to check it out).

Cheers

Beers and Birmingham

This post was supposed to follow quickly behind the last one... then work and family life happened. Well plus a trip to Ulster Rugby and then off the Birmingham with the boy! So we'll start off the the beers I didn't get to last time round - no more ticks from "1001 Beers unfortunately.

140. Kernel London Sour 

Style: Berliner Weisse. ABV: 2.8%. From: The Vineyard.

Description: Pale, pale, straw colour, clear, no head. Smells vinegary with lots of yeasty esters. Tart, sour, lots of lemon rind. Very light.

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Thoughts: I've only had Berliner Weisse before with the syrup in... I think I prefer it that way. This was tart and refreshing but not a great sour for me.

Score: 6

141. Thornbride Tzara 

Style: Kolsch. ABV: 4.8%. From: Light House Wines

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Description: Bah, lost my notes for this one... Pale, sweet fruit aroma (a hint of strawberries), sweet start with a slightly bitter finish. Light bodied.

Thoughts:Not sure I really got Kolsch before this beer, this was light and refreshing. Tasty stuff perfect for a warm summers day. Apparently Kolsch's don't travel well - my need to get to Koln to find out!

Score: 6.5

142. Kinnegar Maddyroe 

Style: IPA (Burnt red!). ABV: 5.7%. From: The Vineyard.

Description: Burnt amber colour with an off white head. Great IPA aroma, citrus and grapefruit, something floral too - a little caramel and spice. Starts off all citrus hop, but again that sweet burnt caramel malt and spice comes through on the finish. Mid bodied.

Thoughts: This stuff was great, really nice mesh of smells and flavours that created a tasty, drinkable beer. I know this was supposed to be a one off... really hope they brew more.

Score: 7.5

143. Oakham Citra 

Style: APA. ABV: 4.6%. From: The Vineyard.

Description: A dark straw colour, clear, with a decent white head. Pure citrus hop aroma, fresh grass. A little tropical fruit, decent bitterness that doesn't linger too long. Light but a slightly oily mouthfeel.

Thoughts: Tasty enough without being mind blowing. 

Score: 7

That lot was followed by a trip to Birmingham! The Wellington looked good but I didn't actually get a pint there as they weren't serving food. Brewdog was but couldn't convince the boys to stay here too long - but the Magic Rock Cannonball was worth trying (the Tactical Nuclear Penguin less so...). To much craic to take notes but overall I enjoyed Birmingham as a city more than I though I would. Would go back - but wouldn't rush there.

Next up Cardiff for a stag doo - Tiny Rebel's Urban Tap House will hopefully get a visit... anything else I need to be checking  out?

Cheers