FABPOW Leek & saffron soup with Camden Hells

I got an Ales By Mail order through the post today and in it were some bonus bottles courtesy of Paul, thanks! I was excited to find three Camden Town beers amongst these, as they of course don't make it to these parts. I have tried them before, but that was after a busy tasting in the Camden Brewdog bar; so this time they'll be given a fair go.

Proud Siblings

The new branding is out in force and looks lovely, clear and with a definite house style to make for easy identification (NB new labels coming soon apparently). Branded bottle lids meant I knew what I was getting as I pulled them out from the box.

To continue with my beer and soup range of posts I had a look at what recipes would work well and settled on leek and saffron. Very simple, just chop four medium leeks and soften in oil/butter for a minute or two, add a pinch of saffron and two tbsps of flour, then mix in two pints of vegetable stock. Bring to the boil, simmer for ten minutes then blend.

Piping hot soup, with homemade* bread  and Camden Hells

The lager is clean with just the right level of carbonation and a refreshing beverage by itself. The fruity and gentle sulphur of the leeks is really allowed to come to the fore and the saffron adds a sweet note. This plays well with the honey notes I can detect in the beer. Served with bread there's even better overlap as the two fermentation products come together, with malt notes to the fore. The crisp lager refreshes the palate between sips. Lager doesn't just have to be an accompaniment for curry...

The pale ale is just as good in bottle as I recall the draught version, first sampled last Autumn in the Sheffield Tap. Orange fruity hops and a bitter finish, but no in your face hopping here. The glass was emptied in no time!

The wheat beer has plenty of banana yeast character on the nose, with a clove spiciness coming out in the flavour. That 5% ABV is hidden, drinks like a session beer but with a sting in the tail, be warned!

They're largely how I remember them, flying in the face of the assumption that too many beers in one sitting can dull the palate.

*Alright, breadmaker