No Nonsense Beer Reviews

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Torqameda, Jul 24, 2014.

No Nonsense Beer Reviews

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Torqameda, Jul 24, 2014.

  1. Torqameda

    Torqameda .

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    Been super busy; I have a few reviews I'll try and get posted soon though (right now enjoying a nice tulip of Harpoon UFO Pumpkin; had a little bit of Double Dog (DIPA) by Flying Dog yesterday).
     
  2. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    Unfortunately I started playing arma tonight so didn't get around to the craft beers.
    I want to do it right so I need time to make sure I take proper notes for a review.
     
  3. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    But here's a preview of what's there:

    [​IMG]
     
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  4. Torqameda

    Torqameda .

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    Snake Dog IPA is pretty solid (I prefer Raging Bitch over Double Dog and Snake Dog though). Duvel is a classic. Haven't heard of the other though.
     
  5. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    I picked out a few that I knew and a few that sounded interesting. The off license said they had 100 different beers. Not sure if quite that many, but I should have no problem picking up 6 different beers I hadn't yet tried from there each time I visit.
     
  6. Torqameda

    Torqameda .

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    Mix-six packs are a staple to any legit beer store (that and having on-tap options).
     
  7. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    Craft beers have only caught on here in the past few years so growth is slow. I don't think there was anywhere near the amount of support there is now than 5 years ago.

    If you want on tap you must visit the brewery I imagine. But some would still sell bottled.
     
  8. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    Note: After the first beer, I stopped filling the glass in case I didn't like the beer. The glass was also cleaned between tastings so as to prevent cross contamination.

    Tonight I decided to do a review for 3 beers as I didn't feel like doing all six.

    1. Ginger Beard

    Style: Ginger Beer
    ABV: 4.2%
    Brewer: Wynchwood Brewery
    Serving: 500ml bottle

    [​IMG]

    This is a ginger flavored beer with 4.2% alcoholic volume. I recognised the brewer name and the labels on the bottle are quite striking with a man with a metal helmet, an eye patch and a red haired beard very much resembling a dwarf is looking at you.

    A: The beer has a nice deep amber appearance to it. The head is think, frothy and bright white. However it is not long lasted and after a few minutes it is gone.
    This beer certainly has a nice appearance in the glass. Given that the ingredients are not listed fully I suspect that it was tailor coloured to give it a rich ginger ale colouring to try and match up the taste and appearance. The beer is filtered and clear.
    (3/5)

    S: A strong smell of ginger is present, there is also a bit of a sweetness to it. The smell does not resemble any beer I have tried before and would not give the impression that it is an alcoholic beverage and not a regular sweet ginger drink. Unfortunately I am not a huge ginger fan and this made me wonder what I was about to taste and take me in. But I was intrigued at first with the unique scent.
    (2.5/5)

    T: The taste, look and smell all come together, and it is ginger. The taste profile is very short as it moves from start to middle and then after taste quite quickly. At first there is a strong sweet taste from the beer. It then moves into a spicy ginger tone. For the after taste, it leaves with a very strong sweet ginger taste and quickly fades to a smoother tone of ginger tasting.

    TLDR; It has a strong sweet and ginger taste with a spicy kick in the middle.

    Unfortunately this wasn't quite the thing for me. The unique smell taste and look make this a good beer at the start and after a few sips I am finding it hard to keep drinking. It felt like a novelty, nice to see and try but not something that I would sit down and drink one bottle of, let alone drink it for a night.

    (1/5)

    O: Overall, it is what it says on the bottle, a ginger beer. With it siding more with the ginger. Personally I do not like it as it is too sweet and ginger-y. For people interested in sweet drinks and love ginger as a flavouring, I would suggest trying it out.
    For others, I would recommend a small taster in a shot glass that'll get you 2-3 sips. You'll experience the unique taste and not have to put up with a whole bottle.

    If you want ginger taste in alcohol, get some mulled wine preferably lightly heated.

    Score: 25 (Too much of something is not a good thing.)

    2. Sunburnt Irish Red

    Style: Irish Red Ale
    ABV: 5.0%
    Brewer: Eight Degrees Brewing
    Serving: 330ml bottle

    [​IMG]

    A: It has a deep dark caramel colour akin to cola. The head is thick and fizzy and dissipates quickly. The head is slightly darker than a bright white to fit into the darker shade of the main body of the beer. The body of the beer is thick and cloudy. I found the likeness to a cola very interesting but there was nothing too special about the appearance. So nothing wrong and nothing right.
    (2.5/5)

    S: It smells of caramel and you can pick up the roast smell aswell mentioned on the bottle of the roasted barley. It was quite pleasant but it did not strike me as very special
    (2.5/5)

    T: The initial roast taste and caramel hits you straight away and quickly fades to a mellower tone so as to not over stay it welcome. The taste slowly fades away to give a smooth taste profile which leaves a subtle taste in your mouth. I found the taste somewhat reminded me of coffee, but not as strong. I found this beer to have a nice taste that you can sit back and enjoy.
    (3.5/5)

    O: It has no outstanding appearance or smell to make you think that it is anything extraordinary. It looks quite nice, it smells quite nice. Then there is the taste, I wanted to give this a four out of five because I found it very enjoyable, especially after the ginger beer (that I am never touching again :P). It was the kind of beer I would sit down with for a night. I would drink stout for a night for example and found this a nice ale which tasted nice and didn't give me a reason to not drink more. Also, at 5% it is slightly stronger than regular beers but the good flavour profile makes sure that it doesn't fall into the trap of raising alcohol content at the expense of taste.

    TLDR; It is a very good beer that you could have any day and enjoy.

    Score: 70 [A good beer worth adding to your regular menu]

    3. Kwak

    Style: Belgian Strong Beer
    ABV: 8.4%
    Brewer: Pauwel Kwak (Family Brewery)
    Serving: 330ml bottle

    [​IMG]

    A: The beer has a red amber colouring to it and is clear though out. The head fizzes up to a good height before quickly dissipating to leaving a ring around the glass at the beer level. It is bright white and contrasts with the red amber shade of the beer quite well. I would prefer if it stayed longer but the little white ring left behind still looks well on the beer.
    (3/5)

    S: There is certainly a strong aroma to the beer. You can tell that it is stronger than an average beer but it also serves as a good indicator of the taste. The aroma is unique but vaguely reminds me of some German weiss biers. It does draw you in somewhat to see what it tastes like.
    (2.5/5)

    T: The beer starts off quite bitter and you can feel it biting at your tongue. However, when you swallow it and the after taste kicks in, it is a different story. It rises to a high note as you are hit with a stronger flavour. I think I can put this down to the barley malt. Kwak is a traditional belgian beer, so only water, barley, hops and yeast are allowed to be ingredients.
    The strong taste is usual for higher percentage beers, but this taste is much more refined than the cheaper brands which make an overpowering taste like someone tried to mix wine and beer without much care. The note here rises and fades, leaving a subtle taste behind until the next sip restarts the cycle. I Found it to be a good beer to relax and sip away at, and certainly a great example of high alcohol beers. I would not be moved to have a few of them but one or two would certainly be a nice way to relax. Taking small pauses between sips as it allows the best enjoyment of the flavour.
    (3.5/5)

    O: The beer looks nice and has a smell different to what you are used to from other beers. It feels more like a beer to enjoy in small amounts over an evening and a good thing to have with a few friends as you relax. And at 8.4% you need not worry about taking it slow meaning that the social lubricant will not flow. I would mark this as an occasional beer or you can throw one in with what you regularly drink for a little switch up or if you want something a little stronger than will still taste like a good beer.

    Score: 70 (Wouldn't be a regular menu piece, but a good treat every once and a while)

    So that is my full review of my first three beers. Palm, snake dog and duvel will be up later this week.
    I had a rocky start but the middle and finish were good, with a home beer and a European.
    This is all down to my personal tastes and hopefully I expressed myself well enough so that those who may enjoy them even more aren't put off by my scoring.
    Keep enjoying the second best thing to come from wheat after bread, some would say first :P
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2014
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  9. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    Giving this a slight bump now that my reviews are ready to be read
     
  10. Torqameda

    Torqameda .

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    Woo woo!
     
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