tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57227498904815235582024-02-07T14:16:28.943+00:00a lovely dropa pictorial record of my journey through beerwhereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.comBlogger430125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-88000375355103037692017-12-18T17:00:00.001+00:002019-10-23T16:36:30.952+01:00Golden Pints 2017!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best UK Cask Beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">There can only really be one. It’s been around for a
while but <b>Siren’s Broken Dream</b> is the best cask beer I drank this year
and probably my favourite cask beer ever. It’s a sublime stout that is at its very best
on cask and for me it typifies why cask as dispense method is so important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best UK Keg Beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">This was a tough call but I have to give this to <b>Loral
& Ardi</b>, a three way collaboration between <b>Cloudwater, Lost &
Grounded and Verdant</b>. This was a dry-hopped take on a Belgian tripel and I was
amazed at how well it worked. It was super juicy with just a hint of the
qualities you’d expect from a tripel, a real triumph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Honourable mention to <b>Bloom, also by Verdant
Brewing Co</b>, a super fruity, quaffable IPA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best UK canned beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can only award this to <b>Cloudwater</b> for their
<b>Spring + Summer DDH Pale series</b>. Both the <b>Chinook & Citra</b> and
<b>Southern Passion & Citra</b> iterations were absolutely magical. I drank
a few of these because they’re cheaper than their DIPAs whilst being just as
delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Honourable mention to <b>Magic Rock</b> for their <b>Bearded
Lady Barrel Aged Bourbon Dessert Edition </b>which was bloody delicious
(although not as good as the hazelnut version in my view).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best UK bottled beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I only had this a few weeks ago but it was amazing
so my best bottled beer from the UK this year goes to <b>Brew By Numbers</b>
for their <b>05|25 India Pale Ale – Citra & HBC 431 – </b>a supremely
smashable juicy IPA. To have both BBNo and Kernel knocking out IPAs like this
within metres of each other is amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">A very honourable mention must go to <b>Beavertown </b>for
their <b>Tempus Project Brosé, </b>a bonkers barrel-aged sour that, thanks to a
shed-load of grape skins, trod the line between beer and wine. This was
excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Overseas Draught Beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t say that I drank a huge amount of draught
beer overseas this year so this a fairly easy choice – it’s hard to beat some
of the classic Belgian beers on draught and this is one of my favourites, so it’s
<b>Westmalle Dubbel </b>that I enjoyed in Brussels at Easter. Lovely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Overseas canned beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I went to Norway in the summer and drank a lot of
very expensive beer. Some of it was good, some mediocre but <b>Apocalyptic
Thunder Juice </b>from<b> Amundsen Bryggeri</b> was amazing. A juice-bomb
packed with tons of passion fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Overseas bottled beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I went to Ireland three times this year and drank a
lot of beer there too. I wasn’t expecting a lot from <b>Hope’s Summer Session IPA</b>
but it was delightful. Plenty of bang for your buck that belied it’s ‘session’
moniker. I was not surprised to read that it was brewed with citra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Collaboration Beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t look beyond <b>Loral & Ardi </b>for this
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Honourable mention to <b>Beavertown and Trillium</b>
for <b>Beaverillium </b>which was great.<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Overall Beer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Again I can’t look past<b> Loral & Ardi</b>, the
three way collaboration between <b>Cloudwater, Lost & Grounded and Verdant.
</b>Arguably three of the most exciting breweries in the country produced one
beer that really wowed me.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Branding:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Beavertown </span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">and <b>Cloudwater</b>
continue to excel on this front. The labels for <b>Northern Monk’s Patrons
Project</b> are wonderful and <b>Burnt Mill</b>’s cans are stunning. I can’t
pick one, I don’t think I really care quite enough.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best UK Brewery:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I probably have to go with <b>Cloudwater</b> on this
one, narrowly fending off <b>Beavertown</b>. Yes – there is a lot of hype
surrounding CW, but much of it is merited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Overseas Brewery:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t drink a huge amount of foreign beer unless I’m
away from home as there is so much good beer in the UK now. As such it’s hard
to think of a brewery that stands out as I’ve simply not had multiple beers
from many overseas breweries. As above I drank a lot of Irish beer this year,
so I’ll give this one to <b>White Hag – </b>everything I’ve had from them this
year has been pretty solid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best New Brewery Opening:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t think of many contenders for this either, so
I’ll go with <b>UnBarred</b> from Sussex. I attended a Meet the Brewer event
with them this year and everything I’ve had from them has been good if not as
refined as I’d have hoped. I think they’ll be one to watch in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">UK Pub/Bar of the Year:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I keep finding myself back at <b>Cask Pub &
Kitchen</b> despite not working anywhere near there anymore. Always a great
beer range, cask and keg, good food. Can’t knock it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Honourable mention to <b>The</b> <b>Harp</b> just
off Trafalgar Square which remains one of my favourite places in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best New UK Pub/Bar of the Year:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Only one new place comes to mind and I don’t think it’s
good enough to be included in the list based on my visits there so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Overseas Bar of the Year:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I enjoyed visiting<b> Mikkeller Viktoriagade </b>when
in Copenhagen earlier in the year, it was the one overseas bar that really made
me think “I wish I lived around the
corner from this place”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Brewery Tap of the Year:</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I haven’t really been to many this year, the
addition of a seating area at <b>Brew By Numbers </b>is great and <b>Fourpure</b>
has improved its offering dramatically with the menu screens and live Untappd
info.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Beer Festival of the Year:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Didn’t attend any in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Supermarket of the Year:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s been great to see most supermarkets upping
their games this year. <b>Marks & Spencer</b> is far and away the best
though and some branches (i.e. Moorgate) are superb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Independent Retailer of the Year:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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Craft</b> really. Usually a great selection, prices are okay and it’s near to
my work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Other contenders are <b>Ghost Whale, </b>which for
me has the </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">most interesting beer selection in the capital and </span><b style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Hop, Burns &
Black</b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> in Peckham.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Best Beer Blog or Website<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Boak & Bailey</span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> write the most
interesting beer-related content as far as I’m concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Honourable mention to the blog of <b>Retired Martin </b>which
I discovered this year – I’ve enjoyed his documentation of the backwaters of
the UK (and beyond) and he is always good for a pub recommendation pretty much anywhere.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-27571280232583346802015-06-17T16:55:00.000+01:002015-06-17T16:55:00.465+01:00Beer #425 - Saltaire XS Imperial Stout<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTeTl5pRrNinHy6HTuB1Z8nRtGbHGBa-7RAZIkrtqRyA2L9nwNQvP_kA9a7nDeCo31_JQ1sWtmOKSNMy3L5RgC76MtSBLxDLAQ11g_44cxokw2NDzgLmFMPX0Us6VAv8g7EsJS_sgEjU/s1600/Saltaire_XS_Imperial_Stout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTeTl5pRrNinHy6HTuB1Z8nRtGbHGBa-7RAZIkrtqRyA2L9nwNQvP_kA9a7nDeCo31_JQ1sWtmOKSNMy3L5RgC76MtSBLxDLAQ11g_44cxokw2NDzgLmFMPX0Us6VAv8g7EsJS_sgEjU/s320/Saltaire_XS_Imperial_Stout.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
My final beer enjoyed at the Wanstead Tap whilst I was there for the <a href="http://www.invitetosupper.com/e7supperclub/">E7 Supper Club</a>. My girlfriend and I sensibly decided to split this imperial stout (which was served with an excellent chocolate brownie). It was rather light in body which belied its 8.9% ABV - it had some nice chocolate notes and more than a hint of molasses but it was nowhere near as rich as I had expected/hoped. Fine but not amazing.<br />
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Brewery: Saltaire Brewery<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 8.9%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-50095233687684267192015-06-16T12:00:00.000+01:002015-06-16T12:00:09.688+01:00Beer #424 - Celt Experience Bleddyn 1075<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglLCFdqy4Beg2dJHL0r_oW9jfAmQtmBNxkYsUXHMqSuNSdeYdi4C6siW08tEAk2x-PF7Csijku1gIoGSxv4qAZpgcrLF2cWIYJu07u2du832vV-fqD6I3iMeM2FDonxo4c0Crh8H1alg/s1600/Celt_Experience_Bleddyn_1075_beer_wales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglLCFdqy4Beg2dJHL0r_oW9jfAmQtmBNxkYsUXHMqSuNSdeYdi4C6siW08tEAk2x-PF7Csijku1gIoGSxv4qAZpgcrLF2cWIYJu07u2du832vV-fqD6I3iMeM2FDonxo4c0Crh8H1alg/s320/Celt_Experience_Bleddyn_1075_beer_wales.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Another brew I had at the Wanstead Tap during the E7 Supper Club I went to, this time an IPA from the excellent Welsh brewery the Celt Experience. This is brewed with a variety of new world hops that lend it a sticky, resinous character and a fruity yet rather dry and bitter finish. I enjoyed this one.<br />
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Brewery: Celt Experience<br />
Country: United Kingdom <br />
ABV: 5.6%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-50669223018364830432015-06-15T10:00:00.000+01:002015-06-15T10:00:07.655+01:00Beer #423 - Partizan Pale Ale Sorachi Ace Calypso Bravo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGYvYosYEB7XifxXnSSdu2gTi5vEQc5qhya1McdzY7nW_BUiP2pkcOW-VY6_ew-9bh_tybiGcayJUFQgjf14vQjjULt1VdBf1QZNGk6n8pcGBv5AzF7zJ_TMw54mYIunYI0ZToLZjk3w/s1600/Partizan_Pale_Ale_Sorachi_Ace_Calypso_Bravo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGYvYosYEB7XifxXnSSdu2gTi5vEQc5qhya1McdzY7nW_BUiP2pkcOW-VY6_ew-9bh_tybiGcayJUFQgjf14vQjjULt1VdBf1QZNGk6n8pcGBv5AzF7zJ_TMw54mYIunYI0ZToLZjk3w/s320/Partizan_Pale_Ale_Sorachi_Ace_Calypso_Bravo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The second beer of four at the E7 Supper Club I attended was this pale ale from Partizan. Brewed with Sorachi Ace - a Japanese hop commonly used in wheat beers and saisons this was a very interesting beer and a definite break from the pale ale norm. The hops lent the beer a lemon flavour alongside some pineapply and some lovely grassy/wheaty notes. I really enjoyed this one and having been a touch disappointed with the last couple of Partizan beers I'd had, I was glad I liked it as much as I did.<br />
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Brewery: Partizan Brewing<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.5%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-87307974903336280012015-06-14T10:00:00.000+01:002015-06-14T10:00:04.320+01:00Beer #422 - Five Points Pale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6jlxKy1918_A3CCmU1qPOZmFDhj6XR4d8VFCyeJXifYskBhsDWto0QHH3PxtXulJFxntoluiPu7857TCGof3tw_epZQ5K3hkg8ZJNGTPk49llq2wF7qIAazNPe8KnrZFfxHE7N1wi-c/s1600/five_points_pale_APA_beer_london_hackney_craft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6jlxKy1918_A3CCmU1qPOZmFDhj6XR4d8VFCyeJXifYskBhsDWto0QHH3PxtXulJFxntoluiPu7857TCGof3tw_epZQ5K3hkg8ZJNGTPk49llq2wF7qIAazNPe8KnrZFfxHE7N1wi-c/s320/five_points_pale_APA_beer_london_hackney_craft.jpg" width="320" /></a>For my birthday recently I was lucky enough to be taken to an <a href="http://www.invitetosupper.com/e7supperclub/">E7 Supper Club</a> by Michael Sanders at the <a href="http://market.wansteadium.com/thewansteadtap/">Wanstead Tap</a> in East London. Diners are treated to four courses of delicious food with an optional beer pairing also available. I won't go into huge detail about the food (or indeed any, suffice to say it really was amazing) but I did have the four beers to go with each course. The first was Five Points Pale from the east London brewery. This is yet another fairly prominent London craft brewery that I had, up until then, somehow managed to avoid. This APA is brewed with Amarillo, Centennial and Citra hops which give it a zingy fruity flavour. The US hops have been showcased excellently in this beer which was fresh and highly drinkable with lovely orange and lemon flavours.<br />
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Brewery: Five Points Brewing Company<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.4%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-7445913878406817612015-06-13T10:00:00.000+01:002015-06-13T10:00:05.119+01:00Beer #421 - Lervig White Dog Brand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbNsYKLYcLcYb-xDAHj0Ltqn2dAkuPF0rld4hDoaBZgeKIWSSrXnd6pAs8h3UJv4walZlOwjYe9ROJK6MclSs2wWtjLDycbHktL3vjlNJ6KuzzrQ9hHZiAgCTRQ-vhYpWNfJhIVXmS4E/s1600/lervig_white_dog_brand_witbier_beer_wheat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbNsYKLYcLcYb-xDAHj0Ltqn2dAkuPF0rld4hDoaBZgeKIWSSrXnd6pAs8h3UJv4walZlOwjYe9ROJK6MclSs2wWtjLDycbHktL3vjlNJ6KuzzrQ9hHZiAgCTRQ-vhYpWNfJhIVXmS4E/s320/lervig_white_dog_brand_witbier_beer_wheat.jpg" width="320" /></a>Lervig have been pushing their beers pretty hard in the UK of late and I'm a pretty bag fan of theirs, having discovered a good proportion of their range at a <a href="http://alovelydrop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-draft-house-sunday-sessions-lervig.html">Draft House Sunday Session</a> last year. I recently attended a dinner club event at the <a href="http://market.wansteadium.com/thewansteadtap/">Wanstead Tap</a> in East London and while waiting for things to kick off I shared a couple of bottles of this wheat beer with my girlfriend. This is a very solid if unspectacular witbier – a nice wheaty banana flavour with a decent hint of clove in there too. It’s not a world-beater but it is very easy drinking.<br />
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Brewery: Lervig Aktiebryggeri <br />
Country: Norway<br />
ABV: 4.7%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-18709733762563945142015-06-12T12:00:00.000+01:002015-06-12T12:00:01.844+01:00Beer #420 - Tiny Rebel Hank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5VNlR1UA8Iy2Zis-SdUtZO_WyR3ZOfE_D8KeCOPhhRfj9-xWlqK1ZIaXb0F1ajLTiNLHLa0tZBZ3AZPr69_y37A6u3f0XQUvwUXmaIRBnvXOxIFvDrG4vq4_Wtbx9sWacxAgHoO0tKA/s1600/tiny_rebel_hank_beer_wales_newport_ale_craft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5VNlR1UA8Iy2Zis-SdUtZO_WyR3ZOfE_D8KeCOPhhRfj9-xWlqK1ZIaXb0F1ajLTiNLHLa0tZBZ3AZPr69_y37A6u3f0XQUvwUXmaIRBnvXOxIFvDrG4vq4_Wtbx9sWacxAgHoO0tKA/s320/tiny_rebel_hank_beer_wales_newport_ale_craft.jpg" width="320" /></a>One of my favourite things about the Craft Beer Co chain in London is that the invariably have something from Tiny Rebel on and it is invariably pretty good. I recently spent a very pleasurable Saturday evening drinking pint after pint of Hank, a session-able golden ale at the Farringdon branch and very good it was too. Rather light in body but what it lacks there it makes up for in flavour - it has a big tropical fruit flavour to it that belies its 4% ABV. A slightly bitter and dry finish but that doesn't detract from its drinkability. Very tasty.</div>
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Brewery: Tiny Rebel Brew Co.</div>
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ABV: 4.0%</div>
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<br />whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-18415157783240486422015-06-11T10:00:00.000+01:002015-06-11T10:00:06.410+01:00Beer #419 - Khevsuruli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lU9B3V9yRVIwVk7PphVYpGPVdhSqBZEZwGMRA1OUbSwPjL5PVr0rPFIFOAic95Z4pHkiLfJifOlvGYXtLDKt-kjAnLLmxHvolENeWWzrcwSWSUQx60bTrAEVIqLqsHwBfyg8hiIaNHY/s1600/Khevsuruli_amber_beer_georgia_caucasus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lU9B3V9yRVIwVk7PphVYpGPVdhSqBZEZwGMRA1OUbSwPjL5PVr0rPFIFOAic95Z4pHkiLfJifOlvGYXtLDKt-kjAnLLmxHvolENeWWzrcwSWSUQx60bTrAEVIqLqsHwBfyg8hiIaNHY/s320/Khevsuruli_amber_beer_georgia_caucasus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This bottle had been knocking around in my beer wardrobe since my holiday in Georgia last year and I thought it was high time I drank it. I figured it was going to be a generic, disappointing lager but it is in fact an amber lager (brewed to a ‘traditional recipe’ no less). Khevsuruli is brewed by Zedazeni in Saguramo, which lies 20km or so to the north of Tbilisi. Despite being slightly different from the norm it wasn’t really any better. It was quite highly carbonated with a fairly disappointing weak caramel malt flavour – but very weak indeed. Not particularly well-executed, but quite a cool bottle label which is what attracted me in the first place!<br />
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Brewery: Zedazeni<br />
Country: Georgia<br />
ABV: 4.9%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-20539559207528088602015-06-10T10:30:00.000+01:002015-06-10T10:30:01.921+01:00Beer #418 - Beavertown Bloody 'Ell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDIZqZMVXIUvx-it6fEBqv53q18BVPilZFQrsWzqxl2sr04Ad6uZnKi_N8Fa3_VK1dBQ1AddMdCr6gE8Q80g0pdjV1-rbcnSajweKZ_46g2GoyW2AVv6q7y2FE4xZxuJtuT_9ZLPkSF0/s1600/beavertown_bloody_ell_blood_orange_IPA_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDIZqZMVXIUvx-it6fEBqv53q18BVPilZFQrsWzqxl2sr04Ad6uZnKi_N8Fa3_VK1dBQ1AddMdCr6gE8Q80g0pdjV1-rbcnSajweKZ_46g2GoyW2AVv6q7y2FE4xZxuJtuT_9ZLPkSF0/s320/beavertown_bloody_ell_blood_orange_IPA_beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a seasonal brew from the good folks at <a href="http://alovelydrop.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Beavertown%20Brewery">Beavertown</a> and it won’t shock you to learn that I massively enjoyed this. It’s a heavily hopped IPA brewed with blood orange zest and juice and its bloody great (no pun intended). It’s mouth-wateringly fruity with plenty of bitter grapefruit and some orange flavour and the after-taste does leave you feeling like you’ve just had a glass of orange juice. The aroma and the after-taste are probably superior to the experience of actually drinking it, but that’s because they are great rather than the taste letting it down at all. Super.<br />
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Brewery: Beavertown Brewery<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 7.2%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-40554914335986362742015-06-09T22:00:00.000+01:002015-06-09T22:00:01.789+01:00Beer #417 - Marks & Spencer Island Hopper Pale Ale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another one from Marks & Spencers <a href="http://alovelydrop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/beer-416-marks-spencer-five-hop-lager.html">crafty-ish range</a>, this Island Hopper Pale Ale is brewed for them by Windsor & Eton of Berkshire. This is a fairly non-descript pale ale although it’s quite easy to be dismissive of beers such as this one. It’s fine, quite sweet in flavour with some bitter hop flavours but it isn’t as packed with flavour as one might hope. Perfectly drinkable but not worth going out of your way for.<br />
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Brewery: Windsor & Eton<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.5%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-48278507910205121572015-06-09T16:16:00.000+01:002015-06-09T16:16:03.423+01:00Beer #416 - Marks & Spencer Five Hop Lager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Marks & Spencers have recently expanded their beer selection with a few of these craft style beers brewed for them by various UK brewers. They’ve also started stocking stuff by Fourpure and others which is pretty cool. This five hop lager is pretty funking great – light and highly drinkable with some wonderful sweet tropical flavours. Absolutely spot on for the summer, I really enjoyed this one.<br />
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Brewery: Hogs Back<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.5%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-48007458999138005732015-06-02T10:00:00.000+01:002015-06-02T10:00:03.251+01:00Beer #415 - Satan Gold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuZaeqALfSXsomyizMAubk12KtVNGqOo8-Ndlq6h2XQZe20Wtas02HsZzmm_vxAwxV3SZsc8WIh0mBuztcXP70LUqcI3kYolMxveF_UyQyRyVOdHW_5IJ_N12cI48wlLxm-E62oaN8hI/s1600/satan_gold_beer_belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuZaeqALfSXsomyizMAubk12KtVNGqOo8-Ndlq6h2XQZe20Wtas02HsZzmm_vxAwxV3SZsc8WIh0mBuztcXP70LUqcI3kYolMxveF_UyQyRyVOdHW_5IJ_N12cI48wlLxm-E62oaN8hI/s320/satan_gold_beer_belgium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I had this strong golden ale at <a href="http://dovepubs.com/aboutdovetail/">the Dovetail</a> on a recommendation from the barman (on asking about a golden ale). I can't say I was overly impressed with it - it wasn't particularly well-balanced with a strong boozey taste and a bitter finish that overpowered everything else. It had some nice fruity, spicey notes but the alcohol dominated and it probably isn't one I'd order again.<br />
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Brewery: De Block Brouwerij<br />
Country: Belgium<br />
ABV: 8.0%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-2949898354462033442015-06-01T22:05:00.000+01:002015-06-01T22:05:34.836+01:00Beer #414 - Siren / Omnipollo / Niklas Johansson Life is a Peach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5chsI2-lQzlcZw6KGcMZhRcnbe-xPKRdJXVRWSzldrQeePDFbPQdiaAosGe0iuF4UaBgAEq1JLcnSlYgAK77ttTOcEanubXE29-BtbV7mecF-whSyqiWbW5_2ujzaJuIqfxx6bY9jDHw/s1600/siren_lifes_a_peach_ipa_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5chsI2-lQzlcZw6KGcMZhRcnbe-xPKRdJXVRWSzldrQeePDFbPQdiaAosGe0iuF4UaBgAEq1JLcnSlYgAK77ttTOcEanubXE29-BtbV7mecF-whSyqiWbW5_2ujzaJuIqfxx6bY9jDHw/s320/siren_lifes_a_peach_ipa_beer.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="caption-text">This IPA was brewed by Niklas Johansson in conjunction with Siren and Omnipollo having won a home-brewing competition in Sweden. The amazing opportunity to brew at Siren was the prize. Pretty cool. Described as a 'peach cream IPA' this beer has wonderful fruity aroma, tropical with a note or two of <a href="http://simplygood.com.au/images/detailed/0/Image_074.jpg">peach loops.</a> The beer is very smooth on the palate with that creaminess well evident, the flavour is of fruity with the peach dominating alongside a bit of caramel. It's on the sweet side but unless you're planning to down a few bottles consecutively the balance just about works. A bit different and very good.</span><br />
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<span class="caption-text">Brewery: Siren Craft Brew / Omnipollo / Niklas Johansson collaboration</span><br />
<span class="caption-text">Country: United Kingdom</span><br />
<span class="caption-text">ABV: 6.4%</span><br />
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<span class="caption-text"></span><br />whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-89736189861017587312015-05-07T21:20:00.000+01:002015-05-07T21:20:00.152+01:00Beer #413 - Siren Love of Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhj1zECdct7F8y20q31a2MdvxSJRTPzC8PB4wNFc74WKPHasSCM1ej9b9fFG9GktjN8p6W1aeNJH_-JtIU2sN33cEVjzTdzRolgcWYt2UbKycOKx00p1pMKzCk7boKgn5PsGSad9QdLg/s1600/siren_craft_love_of_work_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhj1zECdct7F8y20q31a2MdvxSJRTPzC8PB4wNFc74WKPHasSCM1ej9b9fFG9GktjN8p6W1aeNJH_-JtIU2sN33cEVjzTdzRolgcWYt2UbKycOKx00p1pMKzCk7boKgn5PsGSad9QdLg/s1600/siren_craft_love_of_work_beer.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
As soon as I heard about Siren's Love of Work I knew it was a beer I'd have to track down. It wasn't too difficult as I picked up a bottle at Bottledog on Gray's Inn Road shortly afterwards. Unfortunately it's likely to be my last purchase from the shop for a while as my office has moved and its no longer local to me, which is a bit upsetting. Anyway I digress. This is a session IPA brewed with Earl Grey tea and according to the blurb, dry-hopped with Amarillo, Citra and Centennial. The aroma on this, as with most Siren pale ales, was asbolutely - wonderful tropical fruitiness. The flavour is hop-forward with some grapfruit and lemon notes along with a very, very subtle hint of bergamot. It is however very dry particularly on the finish which takes any of the hoppy zing out of the beer and slightly marrs it for me. It's good but for me it is some distance from Siren's best.<br />
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Brewery: Siren Craft Brew<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 3.6%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-37886483016755544132015-05-06T20:48:00.000+01:002015-05-06T20:48:00.311+01:00Beer #412 - Whitstable Oyster Stout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xBKVRhdgQ3Gq0GGsyvtjhBAHjEAnMH66u2rXZn_K4CsP68GLVhDxz73UJNm4M48SBCc_nzf-G8r0pmwC2cF0RzurTRLQB7TdUf75WyL0OU3BpbPrzoD547WL_0QTEglqRCrTHDhxnQM/s1600/whitstable_brewery_oyster_stout_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xBKVRhdgQ3Gq0GGsyvtjhBAHjEAnMH66u2rXZn_K4CsP68GLVhDxz73UJNm4M48SBCc_nzf-G8r0pmwC2cF0RzurTRLQB7TdUf75WyL0OU3BpbPrzoD547WL_0QTEglqRCrTHDhxnQM/s1600/whitstable_brewery_oyster_stout_beer.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Unfortunately I held on to this one for a bit too long before drinking it - as you may be able to tell it was barely clinging on to life and any carbonation that the beer once might have had was, sadly, no longer. The flavour was fine - chocolately roasted malt with a dose of bitter coffee - but on the mouthfeel side of things any enjoyment was dramatically tempered by the fact that it was as flat as a pancake.<br />
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Brewery: Whitstable Brewery<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.5%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-45332991660808167962015-05-05T20:45:00.000+01:002015-05-05T20:45:30.930+01:00Beer #411 - 961 Porter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpc5M59efLfdOmozvS8yuGoJh0KIUxxpEKTOukSGnRV-zXexnOdiKsrD8M6r0AbKODOUeayx2fdeVNxiyGAz6zWvQo4-cwCsLhhwOVs-HybCDMyL3KEefg5i51zrEC8WxG2U4tGFILTs/s1600/961_beer_lebanon_porter_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpc5M59efLfdOmozvS8yuGoJh0KIUxxpEKTOukSGnRV-zXexnOdiKsrD8M6r0AbKODOUeayx2fdeVNxiyGAz6zWvQo4-cwCsLhhwOVs-HybCDMyL3KEefg5i51zrEC8WxG2U4tGFILTs/s1600/961_beer_lebanon_porter_beer.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
The final in my trio of 961 beers from the Lebanese microbrewery was their porter. I feel like it is only fair to judge this in the context that it was brewed which makes it pretty ace. I wouldn't really have believed that a porter this good would have come out of somewhere like Lebanon. Sure, in global terms it isn't anything special but for a Middle Eastern beer in this style its very solid. It pours a dark brown with a nice brown head. The flavour is coffee and earthy, its on the light side of medium-bodied but still robust enough to hold its own.<br />
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Brewery: 961 Beer<br />
Country: Lebanon<br />
ABV: 5.6%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-73316408599114415962015-04-22T17:14:00.000+01:002015-04-22T17:14:00.050+01:00Beer #410 - Pressure Drop Pale Fire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjW7Oqep9WjXuJ81dRIT_okvUAwguluOWxT4kikE-3fJ9oTt0Qx-hMe9h7wE-HBhavHBdV61Ly3A6uB4hyphenhyphenlMu2y5Vzqb0GONZkbASaBH4tlb3NuNp3GmwnNbiEHl-LqHGtaVQrBNlnuI/s1600/pressure_drop_pale_fire_american_pale_ale_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjW7Oqep9WjXuJ81dRIT_okvUAwguluOWxT4kikE-3fJ9oTt0Qx-hMe9h7wE-HBhavHBdV61Ly3A6uB4hyphenhyphenlMu2y5Vzqb0GONZkbASaBH4tlb3NuNp3GmwnNbiEHl-LqHGtaVQrBNlnuI/s1600/pressure_drop_pale_fire_american_pale_ale_beer.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Bizarrely this is the first Pressure Drop beer I've ever had so I've finally managed to tick off a fairly prominent London brewery that I've inexplicably avoided until now. More fool me, because this bottle of Pale Fire was absolutely brilliant. It turns out that this beer is brewed with different hops and to different recipes, had I known that at the time I'd have noted which version this was but alas, I didn't. Anyway this was pretty much everything you want from an APA - a lovely fruity aroma and a flavour bursting with tropical fruit; pineapple and grapefruit and loads of apricot with a gentle bitter bite. I'm getting excited just writing about it, really, really great and I'm annoyed that I slept on it for so long. Expect to see more from Pressure Drop on this blog shortly.<br />
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Brewery: Pressure Drop<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 5.0%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-83844394215115148322015-04-21T17:05:00.000+01:002015-04-21T17:05:00.592+01:00Beer #409 - Wild Beer Wild Goose Chase <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqcI6ClWIFItLqF5Y7TvGF_bf1lTDabZmakhndfucsw5CYmJ2XDJl2P1hlFQZnpqvBOnenNfvbn3Kz9HGoj4t1XqBqPIeJo5rJIT1m5tsuMOh1GFcFJmql-Ychs6juurwNsAuUtgveSg/s1600/wild_beer_co_wild_goose_chase_gooseberry_pale_ale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqcI6ClWIFItLqF5Y7TvGF_bf1lTDabZmakhndfucsw5CYmJ2XDJl2P1hlFQZnpqvBOnenNfvbn3Kz9HGoj4t1XqBqPIeJo5rJIT1m5tsuMOh1GFcFJmql-Ychs6juurwNsAuUtgveSg/s1600/wild_beer_co_wild_goose_chase_gooseberry_pale_ale.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Following an early lunchtime finish at work and with a sunny afternoon train trip to Herefordshire in the offing I picked up this can from Bottledog on my way to Euston station. It is interesting how expectations can dramatically affect your enjoyment of a beer...I picked this up expecting it to be packed full of interesting flavours and was left feeling like I had missed something. In my last post which featured a <a href="http://alovelydrop.blogspot.com/2015/04/beer-408-greene-king-down-dragon.html">Greene King beer</a>, my low expectations left me feeling pleasantly surprised when the beer was actually pretty decent. I therefore got a lot more enjoyment from the GK beer than I did from this despite the fact that, objectively, this is the better beer. Anyway I digress. This is a perfectly tasty saison from the Shepton Mallet brewery with some lovely grassy flavours and some decent citrus bitterness. I struggled to pick up any gooseberry though and I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'zingy'. Tasty, sure, but not hugely exciting.<br />
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Brewery: Wild Beer Co.<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.5%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-41357066147124153702015-04-20T16:55:00.000+01:002015-04-20T16:55:00.326+01:00Beer #408 - Greene King Down the Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MrIXmoWG3OY2FaSeP5AzajK-ZSJubhOAH1fFKfPVIZz3VkcVDVhwnLAkpKxspjtGeJVRQBPs6bityCuCoSfq2c9dg_oJzmxLVtwgyn9yyrjRUwRTEKeapXbMLb2LToNv-QrjxDK-KHk/s1600/greene_king_down_the_dragon_beer_chilli_chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MrIXmoWG3OY2FaSeP5AzajK-ZSJubhOAH1fFKfPVIZz3VkcVDVhwnLAkpKxspjtGeJVRQBPs6bityCuCoSfq2c9dg_oJzmxLVtwgyn9yyrjRUwRTEKeapXbMLb2LToNv-QrjxDK-KHk/s1600/greene_king_down_the_dragon_beer_chilli_chocolate.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I recently found myself in a Greene King pub in Hornchurch and, believe it or not, this was the most appealing beer on the bar. A 'chilli and chocolate infused auburn ale' from Greene King is probably a million miles away from what I would choose in an ideal world but as it turned out, it was a pretty decent beer. It's a fairly robust bitter with a pleasant caramel malt character and, if I'm being a little generous, a hint of chocolate. The chilli is unmissable though, catching you quite firmly at the back of the throat. Dare I say it, I wouldn't be averse to drinking this again if it came to it.<br />
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Brewery: Greene King<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 4.8%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-71119967687531828232015-04-19T16:47:00.000+01:002015-04-19T16:47:00.196+01:00Beer #407 - Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyv_E5nBCBb0mtgw367iymvT8MGC4G_-DBLako2fuzs9zs7yAqL2YLwvodmRTRUzIezwFuoSTYGigycfZAkwjLwSyAeCzFEueZbAlON5KmY7OEC73ZGUhpEbEO5GikoDh99V0n2O_ns/s1600/Verhaeghe_Duchesse_De_Bourgogne_sour_wine_beer_aged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyv_E5nBCBb0mtgw367iymvT8MGC4G_-DBLako2fuzs9zs7yAqL2YLwvodmRTRUzIezwFuoSTYGigycfZAkwjLwSyAeCzFEueZbAlON5KmY7OEC73ZGUhpEbEO5GikoDh99V0n2O_ns/s1600/Verhaeghe_Duchesse_De_Bourgogne_sour_wine_beer_aged.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Another one at the Dovetail in Clerkenwell, this time a Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne. This is a traditional beer from the Flanders region of Belgium which, after two periods of fermentation is barrel-aged for 18 months. The bottled product is a blend of 8 month old and 18 month old beers and is one of the more bizarre beers I've tried (although I should probably learn to be<i> less</i> surprised when it comes to traditional Belgian styles). If you imagine a fizzy red wine with a decent dose of sourness you are probably thinking of something fairly similar to this beer. The taste is sweet and sour with an initial tartness balanced by, yes, the flavour of a fruity red wine. Very cleansing and I think quite pleasant but it certainly won't be for everyone and I can't imagine drinking two bottles consecutively. Definitely one for the curious.<br />
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Brewery: Verhaeghe<br />
Country: Belgium<br />
ABV: 6.2%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-27314121273410038652015-04-18T16:39:00.000+01:002015-04-18T16:39:00.711+01:00Beer #406 - Saison Dupont Vieille Provision<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_F8ZDcjWke0Q7SqKMomrMoe1MkoS5JxScRJYcu7nbLSQRoEfiqxEDuoeffVL7WsHu7XoBXMNvA5GKkIcsUsu5Q7rslp0UYWtY6hjvrhxf5iLESKiyWG_uwUBsH407Vmo7-K01FIkTh8/s1600/saison_dupont_beer_belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_F8ZDcjWke0Q7SqKMomrMoe1MkoS5JxScRJYcu7nbLSQRoEfiqxEDuoeffVL7WsHu7XoBXMNvA5GKkIcsUsu5Q7rslp0UYWtY6hjvrhxf5iLESKiyWG_uwUBsH407Vmo7-K01FIkTh8/s1600/saison_dupont_beer_belgium.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>An impromptu trip to the always-excellent <a href="http://dovepubs.com/aboutdovetail/">Dovetail</a> in Clerkenwell gave me an opportunity to try a couple of new Belgian beers. First up I went for the classic Saison Dupont which, needless to see, was as good a saison as I've ever had. As you can see it poured a golden colour with an ever so slight haze. The aroma had that typical Belgian yeast with a bit of wheat and banana. In the mouth it is crisp with some lovely wheaty grassy flavours along with some gentle pepper and some refreshing fruitiness. It is somehow clean and dry yet very drinkable, very well balanced indeed.<br />
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Brewery: Brasserie Dupont<br />
Country: Belgium<br />
ABV: 6.5%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-90678598983084639092015-04-17T16:22:00.000+01:002015-04-17T16:22:33.815+01:00Beer #405 - Clarence & Fredericks Cascadian Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I paid a ridiculous £2.29 for this pint in my local Wetherspoons, the Fox on the Hill. Clarence & Fredericks is a Croydon brewery so south London-ish it is probably fair to say. Based on the clip and beer name I was anticipating either a stout or porter or, possibly, a black IPA. It was probably closer to the latter, and indeed it is listed as a black IPA on RateBeer, although it poured a dark reddy-brown colour rather than the black that I was anticipating. The flavour was dominated by the malt with caramel notes most prominent and a mildly bitter finish. For me the hopping was quite delicate and it felt more like a slightly bitter bitter, pretty good but possibly a bit jumbled!<br />
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Brewery: Clarence & Fredericks<br />
Country: United Kingdom<br />
ABV: 5.0%whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-54409928871863631392015-04-11T12:00:00.000+01:002015-04-11T12:00:00.962+01:00Beer #404 - Aldaris Latvijas IPA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplRSu9YBJiTKAH1a2RIJQP4oSZsRx76JSuUICO2dVYQSxRGt32__rB14s3S4sbCnHOoSP2Ot6bePqzzAw4CrZDTdOempDHZ9vVFJRvq6OBQVmB8mHAKIlx65E3h5LRjx50ygB0ZTZzbk/s1600/Aldaris+Latvijas+IPA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplRSu9YBJiTKAH1a2RIJQP4oSZsRx76JSuUICO2dVYQSxRGt32__rB14s3S4sbCnHOoSP2Ot6bePqzzAw4CrZDTdOempDHZ9vVFJRvq6OBQVmB8mHAKIlx65E3h5LRjx50ygB0ZTZzbk/s1600/Aldaris+Latvijas+IPA.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>A solitary Latvian beer up next – a bottle of Latvijas IPA that I picked up in a Riga supermarket. This was a half-decent IPA, no more and no less. It poured quite a dark brown with a hoppy aroma. The taste was on the bitter side with grassy hop flavours dominating alongside a hint of toffee. I was quite surprised to learn that the brewery, <a href="http://www.aldaris.lv/en">Aldaris</a>, is owned by Carlsberg. For a big brewery like that it’s a pretty decent beer.<br />
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Brewery: Aldaris (Carlsberg)<br />
Country: Latvia<br />
ABV: 5.5%<br />
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<br />whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-81767159853322968732015-04-10T16:43:00.000+01:002015-04-10T16:43:23.260+01:00Beer #403 - Anchor Porter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rather shamefully I only managed two beers whilst on the
Latvian leg of my Baltic sojourn and one of them was an Anchor Porter over
dinner at the excellent and highly-recommended <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g274967-d2532265-Reviews-Stock_Pot-Riga_Riga_Region.html">Stock Pot</a> (which also had a
cider from my Herefordshire homeland available). Anchor Porter has a worldwide
reputation for being excellent and no doubt a million reviews have been written
in its name. It is much lighter in body than I had anticipated, verging on the
thin and yet it is very clean (as far as that is possible for a porter) and the
flavour is great. Roasted malt gives plenty of coffee notes and it’s bitter
without being over-powering. Good stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brewery: Anchor Brewing Company</div>
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Country: USA</div>
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ABV: 5.6%</div>
whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722749890481523558.post-8937566766003137322015-04-03T12:55:00.000+01:002015-04-03T12:55:00.780+01:00Beer #402 - Leičių IPA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq-VArCeL5CzArjuzsxlsJTQu60AQD7NT8ng7Uu63cgHvB42_4KMCmnxIqBlG1vGBgzAmr_VXqmY3-qq_dIdfSJKgwlJZmazZ0IFgzfZmhjKebI2XmNaUaKDvi9UK_IjlZOhbZLnbY5M/s1600/IMG_20150303_170443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq-VArCeL5CzArjuzsxlsJTQu60AQD7NT8ng7Uu63cgHvB42_4KMCmnxIqBlG1vGBgzAmr_VXqmY3-qq_dIdfSJKgwlJZmazZ0IFgzfZmhjKebI2XmNaUaKDvi9UK_IjlZOhbZLnbY5M/s1600/IMG_20150303_170443.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>In my previous post I featured a <a href="http://alovelydrop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/beer-401-busi-trecias-juodas.html">Vilnius brewpub</a> and this post features another, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlineLeiciai">Alinė Leičiai</a>. This place is clean and modern yet has some lovely touches that make it feel homely and comfortable. The brewing kit is visible through large glass windows and they have also decorated a wall by the toilets with a 'periodic table of beer styles' which is quite a nice touch. Each table in the pub has its own tap dispensing the brewery's lager - each tap has a counter so you can pour your own beer, drink as much as you like and pay for it when you leave. I've never seen anything like it before. I was more interested in what they had on the bar, where much to my surprise they had a line of hand pumps. I went for the IPA which poured a murky orangey-red colour. It had a big tropical fruit aroma but the initial flavour was far more flowery/perfumery and bordering on the bizarre. Not bad by any means, just quite different. The bitter fruit flavours were there but were dominated by that floral taste. I drank the whole pint and couldn't really decide whether it was genius or not. As an aside, my girlfriend tried the porter which was very solid. If you're interested in visiting the brewpub is located at Stiklių g. 4.<br />
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Brewery: Alinė Leičiai<br />
Country: Lithuania<br />
ABV: 6.2%<br />
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<br />whereistherenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519493399221654657noreply@blogger.com0