Wild Things

Wild beer have come of age and so has their beer with the release of their first (spirit) barrel aged beers. Ninkasi, Wildebeest and a barley wine aged in Somerset Cider Brandy, malt whisky (a highland and Islay blended) and Marc de Bourgogne barrels respectively. All 10% ABV and available at the usual suspects.

I started with Ninkasi, one of my beers of the year for 2013. Immediately on opening you can smell the oak and boozy notes from the cider brandy barrels but the unmistakable tart apple of ninkasi is there in the background. Flavour remains much the same though body has become fuller, aided by reduced carbonation in comparison to the original but its lost some of the Belgian yeast esters which made the beer so complex in the first place. Still excellent as a beer and worth trying but I prefer the unaged version.

Now Raconteur is a new arrival. The anonymous barley wine* brewed with these barrels in mind remains hidden in the background and the Red wine parades around the palate. This is so wine-like that its almost no longer a beer. Rich molasses and sour cherry nose. Boozy grape notes and oaky vanilla. Smooth and full bodied, light carbonation, grape must, caramel, vanilla. Tonnes of port like rich vinous character...must have been a lot of wine left in there.

If wine lovers are looking for a beer that hasn't deviated much from their usual tipple then this is it. It would make an excellent pairing for dark meats and at 10% certainly has the oomph to cut through them. At about £12 for 750ml its not unreasonably priced either when compared to wine.

The Whiskebeest remains true to its parents, but becomes more rounded and hides its strength all too dangerously. Pours dark peaty brown with a light beige lacing. Whisky immediately apparent on the nose, slightly smoky but not all phenolic...something like highland park and Caol Ila?
Full bodied and thick, coffee comes first as with the original but then some warming whisky, melding seamlessly with the beer. Chocolate, toast, more coffee and sweet vanilla follow. This is barrel ageing at its best.

Three fantastic examples of barrel ageing then that I recommend you try. If I were to pick just one it would be whiskebeest, but then its my kind of beer!

*A special release of the unaged beer "zulu charlie" showed a fairly sweet, rich malt led beer with red apple, yeast esters, which could only have enhanced those red wine notes.

Wild Beer

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A Few More New Beers

Last week I reviewed Eight Degrees Back to Black range and porterhouse's new barrel aged black IPA. This week we turn to the lighter side with an APA, IPA and Tripel.

Up First is new Dublin based brewery Stone Barrel With Boom a "Session IPA"  (AKA American pale ale). Its an attractive burnished gold with fluffy white head collapsing to lacing. Starts nicely with juicy peaches on the nose but unfortunately falls flat (literally) with no carbonation to speak of. This unfortunately accentuates the bitterness and grainy cereals over the delicious hops I know are in there. It shows much promise but needs the carbonation fixed!

Stone Barrel Brewing

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Without such issues is Brown Paper Bag Project's Trinity Tripel. Now I like me a good tripel and this one fulfils the brief admirably. Pale, slightly hazy gold with fine yeast suspension. Those typical belgian yeast aromas of cloves, sweet bubblegum and rich yeast esters are followed by a fairly sweet, full bodied taste with more spicey yeast esters and a fruity Belgian character. Some noble hop pepperiness prevents it from becoming cloying but its still very rich. Great to see breweries stepping beyond the usual stout/pale/red comfort zone.

Brown Paper Bag Project

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Mountain Man's Hairy Goat is an improvement on their Green Bullet release a few months back. Very hazy mid amber with fluffy offwhite head, pineapple sherbet and mango rind but also a strange gravelly minerality. Medium body, mango, fairly sweet at first but plenty of pithy bitterness to balance. Certainly one to try fresh and an indication of things to come.

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And finally for today, a beer that's been re-jigged and released in a larger format bottle. Shane at Franciscan Well asked me to have a taste of the latest IPA iteration (bottle #1 of 1200 no less) and of course I am happy to oblige. Last time carbonation issues in the bottle led to a sweet sticky beer which lost its hop aromatics. No such issues this time however. Rich pine resin and vanilla come across on the nose. Its full bodied, bitter pine and rich resin, toffee, also watermelon as it warms. Resinous finish with lasting bitterness. It also works really well with curry.

Franciscan Well Brewery

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Fiz-y whizzy lets get busy

Thanks to a link Boak & Bailey shared on Twitter I wasted (enjoyably procrastinated) about 20 hours this weekend. The time-waster in question? A brewery management game for Android/ Apple.

The game is quick to install and has a useful tutorial mode to get you used to the menu system. I found it helpful to pause the game (bottom left corner or top menu bar) in order to get a better look around. The premise is simple - brew beer to sell whilst expanding and keeping your balance book in the black - but there's plenty of complexities to keep people interested.

You can use the game in different ways. For those completests amongst us (me included) there are set "story challenges" to enable you to progress alongside additional "ultimate" and "progression" challenges to unlock new recipes, equipment and staff. For the plutomaniacs you can set your own prices and amass a large (virtual) fortune and for the sadists there are mice to kill for bonuses.

From: PocketGamer

The graphics style is cutesy Nintendo-style with the option to play as different characters, though the actual animation is quite basic and plenty of text based screens. The music is pretty catchy too. The game can be at times frustrating, especially if you're impatient but be persistent and you'll be rewarded. 

I mentioned I spent 20 hours playing it* - the game can be addictive too "just one more achievement before bed...". But all in all i consider it £1.28 well spent - that's less than a price of a half and what better have you to do when its pissing it down and blowing a gale?

*As I mentioned I've completed the main story but there's still plenty to keep me occupied. If you decide to play and get stuck, feel free to ask!
Since first writing this post I've completed the game a second time (much quicker when you know what to look out for!) but there's still an annoying few things to discover to get to end game!

Founders

A brewery that's had a lot of buzz around them recently, especially for their dark beers and "session IPA". I picked up the bottles from Alesela, thoughts below. Reuben's thoughts here.

Founders Breakfast Stout is superb, and at 8.3% not particularly boozy for an imperial stout. Bottle at home courtesy of shrubber85 on Ratebeer, cheers Roger!

Rich lactose milk chocolate and fruity roast coffee. Rich, full bodied, medium carbonation, fruity coffee, smokey coffee, dark chocolate milk, long roasty finish. A touch of alcohol brings it all together. Fab.

Founders porter is also a fantastic dark beer at the strong end of the spectrum 6.5%, par for the course for US porters though.

Extremely dark brown, fluffy tan head, unctuous, thick bodied, dark malt, rich, hidden abv, chocolate, smooth. Dry finish

 All day IPA is also super, 4.7%

slightly hazy burnished gold with cream tinged head passion fruit and orange pith on nose. Subtle malt to allow the juicy passion fruit and pink grapefruit of the hops to come through. Medium length finish with a gentle bitterness. Good to see an American brewer go a bit lower, though stil not quite session strength.

 Centennial IPA is 7.2%

Hazy mid amber with offwhite lacing. Pithy tangerine and mango nose. Full bodied, sticky caramalt, pithy citrus peel, dry finish. Its aged well but would be fantastic fresh.

 Curmudgeon Old Ale 9.8%

hazy amber with yeast floaties and cream tinted lacing. Fairly sweet toffee apple nose. Full bodied, low carbonation, sweet toffee, slightly creamy mouth feel. Well hidden alcohol, slightly malty. Sticky weetabix short finish. A bit too heavy going and sweet for me

 Dirty Bastard 8.5%

Yet another scotch ale dark garnet red with dark beige lacing. Rich sweet malt, Turkish delight, sticky caramel. Sweet, astringent notes, full bodied and not helped by the low carbonation. I didn't like this one.

Against my better judgement I decided to try Backwoods Bastard Founders other Scotch Ale, this one barrel aged and 10.2%. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it, probably because of the high amount of bourbon character hiding the maltiness! Still quite heavy but with coconut, vanilla and sticky sweetness it would make for a good dessert beer. Certainly my favourite of the American Scotch efforts to date.

Founders

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Session #83 - Are some beers over-rated?

Yes, without a doubt.

Taking Ratebeer as an example, here is the current top 10:

Westvleteren 12 (XII)
Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout (Bourbon Barrel Aged)
Russian River Pliny the Younger
AleSmith Speedway Stout (Barrel Aged)
Toppling Goliath Kentucky Brunch
Bells Black Note Stout
Rochefort Trappistes 10
AleSmith Speedway Stout
Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout (Bourbon Vanilla Bean)
Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

It consists of 7 Imperial Stouts (2 of which are variations on a third), two "quads" and an imperial IPA. One only has 39 ratings...

Personally I don't like the top rated beer in the world (I much prefer the sint bernardus version) but then everyone is different...

There are the breweries that are the darlings of the craft beer world....hill farmstead, cigar city, lost abbey. Fanboys rating these beers can send them in to the top scores. The freshness of a beer impacts on its score, and as the freshest beer the majority of rate beer users can get is local to them, American beers are given a premium over beers from elsewhere.

When beers are limited more people want to try them for fear of missing out, and if they cost more pepole are perhaps more likely to view them through rose tinted specs (as they don't want to admit they've wasted money on a duff beer when they could have bought multiples of something decent for the same price).

The England list is a bit better - I've been lucky enough to try them all and generally agree, though the presence of Fullers and Sam smith's an only be attributed to the availability of these in America.Though even taking those out the beers are all strong, mostly dark and limited release.

Old Chimneys Good King Henry Special Reserve  
Thornbridge Bracia  
Fuller’s London Porter (Bottle/Keg)  
The Kernel India Pale Ale Double Citra  
The Kernel Imperial Brown Stout London 1856  
Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout  
Thornbridge Hall Courage Russian Imperial Stout  
Magic Rock Bourbon Barrel Bearded Lady  
The Kernel Export Stout London 1890  
Arbor / Moor Double Dark Alliance 

Outside of Ratebeer and in the general beer enthusiasts sphere, beers from he usual suspects can create a Twitter storm in advance of/ around the date of release meaning more people hear about the beer than otherwise would have. This is of course great for the breweries concerned, but I'm sure for every Kernel, Magic Rock and Thornbrideg there are other breweries in an area of low beer geek density (BGD) just quietly getting on with it producing beers which are just as good. Its our job as beer bloggers to seek out these brews and get the word out there!

So I'll finish by following my own philosophy and letting you know about Wiper & True based in Bristol. I've had 6 of theirs so far and not been disappointed by any. Fantastic fresh pale ales and IPAs packed full of hop flavour brewed in various locations around the South West. Yet to try their darker offerings but the consensus seems to say they're good too. Check them out. In fact just head to Bristol for a few days and see everything this great city has to offer!

This post was brought to you courtesy of TheSession, this month brought to you by Rebecca of the Bake and Brew. Cheers!

Ones to Watch 2014

As you all emerge blinking into the daylight on New Year's Day here are a few brewers you should be trying to get hold of this year.

We begin in the capital which continues to expand in all things beery. 2013 has certainly been Partizan's year, showing no signs of stopping in 2014 as they approach their 100th brew. Pressure Drop and Brew By Numbers have also both impressed in 2013. And just outside of the capital Siren have produced plenty to be proud of with plenty more planed for 2014.

A brewery which really impressed on trips to Bristol was Wiper & True. Particularly during Bristol Beer Week with their "Beer and Burgers" event. To maintain such a high calibre of brewing across multiple different establishments is no mean feat. I certainly look forward to trying more of these in 2014.

Across the Bristol channel and into Wales we have Tiny Rebel, who recently opened their first bar in Cardiff and the Celt Experience in Caerphilly who have rally impressed with some excellent collaboration and one off brews recently.

Moving North to Scotland Top Out really impressed with their initial offerings and have since released a Christmas beer and wheat ale, both of which seem to be doing well. I wasn't quick enough off the mark and missed out on the Christmas beer however. Another newish place in Edingburgh is the Hanging Bat, already a fantastic bar, could 2014 be the year the brewery becomes big*? Intriguingly Chris Kay of Bristol beer Factory now has a hanging bat account...

Moving across the water to Ireland I look forward to further releases from Brown Paper Bag Project and Blacks Kinsale brewery. 2013 will be remembered as the year breweries really took off with black IPAs and Double IPAs appearing for the first time and the number of breweries approaching 40 with at least 10 more in the planning stages.

Northern Ireland too has not been passed by with new breweries springing up across the province taking the number to 10. Red Hand will begin selling to the public at the start of the year and Farmageddon should also finally become a real entity. A few new Belfast breweries in the works too; so we should be very healthy in 2014.

Of course firmly established breweries will continue to delight (Wild, Buxton,  Kernel, Beavertown, Moor, Thornbridge, Magic Rock, Summer Wine and more) and cause despair (shall remain nameless) in equal measure and we'll surely see more regional and old guard brewers set-up their own craft ranges as has been seen in 2014. I for one look forward to it! Let me know your own predictions for 2014 below, cheers all!

*Edit...confirmation today that the brewery is go

MMXIII:Golden Pints

2013 has been a great year for beer. I've found myself buying fewer beers from overseas in favour of the extensive, generally fresher, often more inventive UK brewers. There's been plenty worth talking about, especially in bottled form (how I've done most of my drinking this year) but can't put everything in!  I've certainly had plenty of decent bevvys, brought to me by a bevy of brewers; so without further ado (and alliteration) here are my golden pints for 2013.*

Best UK Cask Beer 

 I've had plenty of excellent one of cask beers this year (Kernel Glengarioch barrel aged imperial brown stout anyone?) but for drinkability and one I've returned to many times this year its Dark Star Hophead. Most unusual was certainly Fyne & Wilds Cool as a Cucumber.

Best UK Keg Beer

Again, lots of super one-off beers (Summer Wine's rum barrel aged calico jack was superlatively good) but again, a session beer steals the crown..Magic Rock Simpleton is packed full of flavour for its 2.6% and dserves the crown.

  

 Best UK Bottled or Canned Beer

As in past years I've mostly been drinking bottled beers and the three that have wowed me most this year are Wild Beer's Ninkasi, Moor's Hoppiness and Marble's Decadence. Indeed, they're the only beers I've ever gone back for extra bottles of.

Best Overseas Draught Beer

Not really drunk many this year but Brooklyn's There Will be Black was a proper non-roasty bitter bruiser of a BIPA.

Best Overseas Bottled or Canned Beer

Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta was fantastic at the start of the year on my honeymoon and Green Flash St Feullien's friendship brew black saison really pleased me as its exactly what I was looking for in a dark saison.

Best Collaboration Brew

I have a feeling my favourite will be on many people's lists but its a superb beer: Wild/ Burning Skies/ Good George Schnoodlepip. Its just wacky sounding but worked really well.

Best Overall Beer

Of all of those beers above it has to be Wild's Ninkasi that takes the Crown. I urge you to try it if you haven't already.

From Ohbeautifulbeer

Best Branding, Pumpclip or Label 

So many breweries have re-branded this year; so many new breweries have launched with fantastic logos and house styles that this category has become really difficult! My vote has to be for Partizan however for their similar but different individual labels.

Best UK Brewery

Buxton still take the crown for me here, with Colin continuing stronge-ly (sorry!) from where James left off. James' bretted and barrel aged Tsara's were superb and Buxton imperial black rocks still holds the crown as best BIPA for me. The new range of sours the team are brewing now are fab and I really look forward to visiting their new brewery tap some time soon.

Best Overseas Brewery

As mentioned I've not drunk as much overseas stuff this year, but Yeastie Boys really impressed this year when in NZ.

 

Best New Brewery Opening 2013

Again, plenty of contenders here. My top 3 in no particular order would have to be Partizan, Wild & Siren who have all produced fantastic beers and seem to have been around for a long time. 

Pub/Bar of the Year

The Hanging Bat in Edinburgh is a Fantastic showcase to British beers and well deserving of top spot. Staff that care, an easy to see beer list and a token system to al

Best Beer City

Bristol has really flourished in 2013 with 4 new beer bars and 2 refurbishments following hot on the heels of Brewdog in 2012. Bristol beer week was also a fantastic showcase for the local talent in established and up and coming breweries.

Supermarket of the Year

Whilst most supermarkets in Northern Ireland are dire for beer choice, M&S has really extended the range with their own label stuff and don't try to hide who brews it...which I applaud them for.

Independent Retailer of the Year

Beer Ritz are still excellent as is Bitter Virtue in Southampton but this year's nod goes to Drinkstore in Dublin who I also shop with online.

Online Retailer of the Year 

This is a dead heat between Ales By Mail (fantastic idea to do best of London Cases and have put up with me doing part-orders for merging all year) plus Alesela, a one stop shop for decent Scottish beer and random rarities from elsewhere. Drinkstore have been fantastic as usual helping me to get hold of plenty of Irish one-offs. Honourable mention to Brewdog for sorting out their online shop (alesbymail again! 20% discount helps too!).

Best Beer Book or Magazine

Another fantastic year for beer books but best magazine has to go to Hot Rum Cow. Not just beer but all kinds of drinks, its an unputdownable read from cover to cover. Best book definitely For The Love of Hops.

Best Beer Blog or Website 

Its still Boak & Bailey I find myself most enjoying, especially with their longer reads and historical tidbits this year. The Beer Cast **has also really developed this year with plenty of interesting articles and exclusives, I think it won't be long until Rich makes the transition to print...

Best Beer App 

I already did a post on this, don't have a top app but I use ratebeer the most.

Simon Johnson Award for Best Beer Twitterer

I've had less time for twitter this year but the Craft Wankers are always entertaining and certainly deserving of the irreverence and joviality associated with this award. Rob @beerlens also deserves mention for his kind donation of early issues of Hot Rum Cow. Of course I concur that this should go to Simon in its first year.

Best Brewery Website/Social media 

Wiper & True's website is simply designed but packed full of information and easy to navigate. Top marks!  

   

Check Pencil & Spoon or Beer Reviews over the next few days for a summary post of everyone's nominations...who will be crowned brewery of the year?

*as usual I'm writing these at the start of December so as not to be swayed by other people's opinions...but I reserve the right to make changes in light of any decent discoveries in December!

Edit 6/12/13 **Turns out I'm not the only one who enjoys Rich's blog as he has just won a gold tankard for writing in online media...great job!