I always try to provide a mixture of readily available beers with more far flung choices, because the idea is not to tempt you with stuff that is impossible to buy. Anyway, without further ado, here are four more beers sipped and evaluated:
SCARLET MACAW (OAKHAM ALES, 4.4% ABV)
We start with a fairly readily available beer this time. On first inspection, I wasn't sure about this one. After all, there are so many old school ales these days, it can be almost impossible to pick that outstanding one off from flat bitters that are as dull as being stuck in a lift with Nigel Mansell. This fits the former category though, it’s fine stuff. Like a solid pub ale, but with a lovely peachy taste, punchy bitterness and just the right balance of sweetness and kick. A meaty finish, but at no point do you hit any rough edges. Really tantalising. Too many real ales have a flat, wooden ending that just sits there. Not the Macaw- this is moreish, tantalising stuff that does more on your tongue.
IPA MONSTER RATING: 8.5/10
SUMMARY: Quality pub ale meets top notch fruity IPA. Potent but silly-easy to drink. Delicious.
DORADO DOUBLE IPA (BALLAST POINT BREWING CO., 10% ABV)
At the rarer, more extreme end of the IPA scale, this one was brought back from a pal travelling in the States. And no, there is no mistake, it really is ten percent proof! But is it drinkable? Let's face it, beers this strength are either really well crafted, or tramp piss. This is bold, daring and super bitter, with a meaty hoppiness. Big sharpness with a grapefruit edge, but with that crazy strength it also has a home-wrecking, almost whisky-ish dryness at the end. Made for sipping, this one, not session drinking, that's for bloody sure.
IPA MONSTER RATING: 7.5/ 10
SUMMARY: Bold flavours and sharpness, but just too thick and spirit-like at the back for my tastes.
SINGLE WIDE IPA (BOULEVARD BREWING CO., 5.7% ABV)
Sweet as bubble gum, but sharp as glass this stuff. A superbly juicy, fruity tasting middle. Prickly-fizzy too, unlike many ales, but the whole thing hangs together perfectly with a ripe, bitter finish. This is a superb IPA, with that definite something different in the mix. I could drink this stuff all day long.
IPA MONSTER RATING: 9/10
SUMMARY: Ripe, well carbonated and beautifully balanced. A superb IPA.
DRY HOP PILS (FOUR PURE BREWING CO 4.7% ABV)
More of these beers are emerging, that take a crowd pleaser like a solid pilsner and whack a twist or two and extra hops into the bargain. A good thing too; these beers are like gateway drugs for those not sure about IPAs and hardcore craft beers.
This has a clean, crisp if unremarkable start, just like a quality lager- but then rather than fizzling out like a pint of pissy Carling, it just grows on you. The middle is punchy and spicy, a hint of apricot and a tang of lime, followed by a tantalizing spiciness and plenty of dry-hopped bitterness to finish. And this is what it has that no lager ever will- a few seconds later, you’re still getting hints of different flavour on your tongue, rather than watery, chemical nothingness.
I polished off some curry with a glass of this and it went absolutely perfectly. It's also a beer you could drink either well chilled or room temperature- bringing out either the fresher pilsner qualities, or warmer for all the spicy, hoppy depth.
IPA MONSTER RATING: 8/10
SUMMARY: This meaty, fulfilling beer has several layers of interest. About as interesting as pilsner gets- and would appeal to lager heads as well as real ale twats.
TIP: Next time you grab a quality beer straight from the fridge, pour a serving, but leave a portion in the container- or in a smaller glass- and forget about it for half an hour or so. What do you notice about the taste? Quality IPAs and traditional ales can become a totally different beast, gaining new depths. Are craft beers or classic ale best drunk warm or at room temperature? I'm no scientist, but the darker and less fizzy the beer is, the more I'd be inclined to try it a little warmer.
No comments:
Post a Comment