What beer are we drinking this week? Episode 3

The Inbetween is mine · 14-01-2021 5:03pm

I know some aren't impressed with barrel aged beers... but I still think this is fantastic

senordingdong · 14-01-2021 5:13pm

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

I know some aren't impressed with barrel aged beers... but I still think this is fantastic

What year is it?

Macy0161 · 14-01-2021 5:45pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

Craft Direct also now have the €2.50/ €3/ €4 ranges rather than the multibuy.

O'Brien's, in Bray at least, has also switched from 4 for €10 and 3 for €9 to €2.50 and €3 shelves.

The new Wicklow Wolf not part of the offer anyway...

BaZmO* · 14-01-2021 6:43pm

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

I know some aren't impressed with barrel aged beers... but I still think this is fantastic

In fairness though, that one is considered one of the best ones you can get. If you don't like KBS it's probably safe to say that Barrel Aged Stouts are probably not your thing.*

*of course there will be exceptions! And all Barrel Aged beers are not stouts.

Poorside · 14-01-2021 10:29pm

Had the Galway hooker Mango, not bad but a little bit on the thin side, picked up another Sower, think it's becoming my favourite sour.

flended12 · 15-01-2021 11:06am

MINIKEG_happyDays_square-scaled.jpg?fit=2048%2C2048&ssl=1

Had a glass or 2 of this last night, was in fridge since new years, a little flat, but drinkable (just). Think the best way to drink these mini kegs would be over 3 days max, after that they just lose life.

irish_goat · 15-01-2021 11:22am

I really can't see the advantages of these aside from the novelty of having one at a party.

flended12 · 15-01-2021 11:40am

irish_goat wrote: »

I really can't see the advantages of these aside from the novelty of having one at a party.

Completely agree, it was given as a gift and well received, but if i was on an all day session at a bbq or something, it would work well then.

Plus if I use it as a seat I can pretend im a giant!

senordingdong · 15-01-2021 1:49pm

flended12 wrote: »

Had a glass or 2 of this last night, was in fridge since new years, a little flat, but drinkable (just). Think the best way to drink these mini kegs would be over 3 days max, after that they just lose life.

As far as session ipa goes that's one of the best. But it has been said that the mini kegs don't keep the gas so if its not used in one sitting it's a waste.

BonnieSituation · 15-01-2021 2:09pm

Has anyone had anything from Dundalk Bay/Brewmaster?

They have a fine spot in the fridge in the Spar in Kilmainham and I'm very tempted by any Irish Imperial Stouts and Pilsners, but it'll have to wait.

Interested to hear experiences.

BaZmO* · 15-01-2021 2:54pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Has anyone had anything from Dundalk Bay/Brewmaster?

They have a fine spot in the fridge in the Spar in Kilmainham and I'm very tempted by any Irish Imperial Stouts and Pilsners, but it'll have to wait.

Interested to hear experiences.

The ones that I tried were ok. Nothing groundbreaking but not terrible. The Imperial Stout was the least impressive.

BeerNut · 15-01-2021 3:09pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Has anyone had anything from Dundalk Bay/Brewmaster?

Black, Maibock and Imperial Stout are all excellent, IMO. The one they labelled "Belgian Trappist American Pale Ale" was great too, and I'm not 100% sure if the one now sold as "American Pale Ale" is the same beer but I think it might be.

Macy0161 · 15-01-2021 3:28pm

Illogical* on my part, but I'm just put off trying the Brewmaster beers. I really don't like the branding, but I think it's that they came at it from the engineering angle rather than a brewing/ love of beer one. It just feels a bit opportunistic for me, launching to contract brew as much as their own beers.

*illogical because I'm sure the actual brewers are, well, brewers not engineers!

irish_goat · 15-01-2021 3:30pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

Illogical* on my part, but I'm just put off trying the Brewmaster beers. I really don't like the branding, but I think it's that they came at it from the engineering angle rather than a brewing/ love of beer one. It just feels a bit opportunistic for me, launching to contract brew as much as their own beers.

*illogical because I'm sure the actual brewers are, well, brewers not engineers!

I agree, I'm always put off by the branding too. Their brewer is Dave who used to be headbrewer at Trouble and then Pearse Lyons(Foxes Rock) so he certainly knows what he's doing at least.

Macy0161 · 15-01-2021 3:42pm

irish_goat wrote: »

I agree, I'm always put off by the branding too.

I don't think they could look anymore "commercial pretending to be craft" even if they're not. I've the same issue with the look of the Dublin City Brewing cans too. I'm not sure whether that shows me being sucked in by labels, or the backgrounds of the owners though. Neither would ever make it on to beer label wall in the mancave anyway!

Beanstalk · 15-01-2021 3:53pm

Well, Craftdirect was next day delivery after all! delighted with that!

BeerNut · 15-01-2021 4:08pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

I don't think they could look anymore "commercial pretending to be craft" even if they're not. I've the same issue with the look of the Dublin City Brewing cans too.

I think they both hired the same ex-Diageo consultant when starting out, and I have a suspicion that he's advising microbreweries to try and present themselves like large established industrials, maybe because those are trusted brands and sell by the million (or maybe because it's the only thing he knows). It's a bad misreading of the Irish speciality beer market, IMO. And they can have that opinion for free.

Pen Rua · 15-01-2021 4:29pm

Beanstalk wrote: »

Well, Craftdirect was next day delivery after all! delighted with that!

Enjoy that Lervig one - Orange Velvet. One of my favourites. Must pick up a can next time it's in Bradley's.

15-01-2021 4:38pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

I don't think they could look anymore "commercial pretending to be craft" even if they're not. I've the same issue with the look of the Dublin City Brewing cans too. I'm not sure whether that shows me being sucked in by labels, or the backgrounds of the owners though. Neither would never make it on to beer label wall in the mancave anyway!

Aren't a lot of the beers from both of those breweries supposedly same beer/different can?

youcancallmeal · 15-01-2021 8:31pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Has anyone had anything from Dundalk Bay/Brewmaster?

They have a fine spot in the fridge in the Spar in Kilmainham and I'm very tempted by any Irish Imperial Stouts and Pilsners, but it'll have to wait.

Interested to hear experiences.

I've only had their American Pale Ale and Micro IPA. The pale ale was pretty bad, nothing like a pale ale. If I had tasted it blind I would swear it was a red ale or maybe even Belgian, and not a good one. The micro IPA was actually decent, lots of flavour for 1.8% but way over carbonated. You would be seriously bloated if you had a few of them.

Branding wise they kind of have a retro look about them but not great other than that.

Edit: I see on Untappd the American Pale Ale says formally "Belgian Trappist American Pale Ale" so that solves my confusion

senordingdong · 15-01-2021 9:24pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

Illogical* on my part, but I'm just put off trying the Brewmaster beers. I really don't like the branding, but I think it's that they came at it from the engineering angle rather than a brewing/ love of beer one. It just feels a bit opportunistic for me, launching to contract brew as much as their own beers.

*illogical because I'm sure the actual brewers are, well, brewers not engineers!

Not really illogical. On some beer review sites/apps, reviewers sometimes wax lyrical about whether the label is attractive, would it catch your eye, would you pick it up off the shelf etc

15-01-2021 9:46pm

It’s a saturated market here so branding is definitely important.

Insect Overlord · 16-01-2021 5:15pm

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I have Crann na Beatha and Shanco Dubh (Brehon), 200 Fathoms (Galway Bay), Around the Clock (Porterhouse), Dolmen (Western Herd), Leann Folláin (O'Hara's), Pointy Shoes and Mad Mex (Wicklow Wolf), Morrígan (Larkin's), World's End (Black's of Kinsale) and 8 Ball (8 Degrees) in a box of "big" drinks here. :pac:

Oh, and a 2016 KBS.

I'm finally running out. :pac:

16-01-2021 5:18pm

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I'm finally running out. :pac:

I hop they weren't in the one sitting, or even two

Insect Overlord · 16-01-2021 5:24pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I hop they weren't in the one sitting, or even two

Max of 2 imperials per sitting, but I've had a few slow mornings as a result. :O I've a DKML and a Better Half set aside for this evening.

Planning to go booze free in February to sort myself out again.

BaZmO* · 16-01-2021 5:31pm

Insect Overlord wrote: »

Max of 2 imperials per sitting, but I've had a few slow mornings as a result. :O I've a DKML and a Better Half set aside for this evening.

Planning to go booze free in February to sort myself out again.

I always think February is a better month to go dry than January as January is such an awful month. There’s all that Christmas booze to finish off.........and February is shorter!!

BonnieSituation · 16-01-2021 5:38pm

Insect Overlord wrote: »

Max of 2 imperials per sitting, but I've had a few slow mornings as a result. :O I've a DKML and a Better Half set aside for this evening.

Planning to go booze free in February to sort myself out again.

I'll tag you in.

This week was the most hectic in such a long time that I would have broken the dry for that Friday pint of plain feeling with no regrets.

BonnieSituation · 16-01-2021 5:41pm

BeerNut wrote: »

I think they both hired the same ex-Diageo consultant when starting out, and I have a suspicion that he's advising microbreweries to try and present themselves like large established industrials, maybe because those are trusted brands and sell by the million (or maybe because it's the only thing he knows). It's a bad misreading of the Irish speciality beer market, IMO. And they can have that opinion for free.

It was actually their consistent branding on the shelf that caught my eye. I have to say I like it, but then again, I've a very big appreciation of that oval beer label aesthetic.

I'll give them a bash in a couple of weeks.

16-01-2021 8:16pm

BaZmO* wrote: »

I always think February is a better month to go dry than January as January is such an awful month. There’s all that Christmas booze to finish off.........and February is shorter!!

Big time. Going back to work and all in January is just awful and you need something to look forward to at the weekend. You're back in the swing of it by Feb so way better time for a dry one.

BonnieSituation · 16-01-2021 9:27pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Big time. Going back to work and all in January is just awful and you need something to look forward to at the weekend. You're back in the swing of it by Feb so way better time for a dry one.

I won't be making that mistake next year!

SlipperyPeople · 17-01-2021 9:50am

Insect Overlord wrote: »

Max of 2 imperials per sitting, but I've had a few slow mornings as a result. :O I've a DKML and a Better Half set aside for this evening.

Planning to go booze free in February to sort myself out again.

My rule aswell, always remember in the before times. Sunny sunday afternoon by the canal. Two of the Lads went off to get more Guinness and arrived back with 'they'd no guinness but shur this will do'

3 x 200 Fathoms each. Soon as they took a sip they knew they were fecked. I went home with mine they ended up on the beer till monday eve lol.

Pen Rua · 17-01-2021 2:48pm

I've had quite a number of Trappist beers in the last couple of weeks (thanks to Mrs Pen Rua getting me a couple of the box sets for Christmas!) and I just love each and every one. Partly because I am able to support Trappist monks, partly because they are fantastic beers and partly because they remind me of my time in Belgium on Erasmus a couple of years ago!

I came across this YouTube series where two American lads go off to Belgium, get bikes and cycle between the 6 Trappist breweries in Belgium. Wow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H52mWdQgkg&list=PLUZckUA2Sk-qL_K14CcUTHLuLvNdkPv4p&index=1

That is bucket list stuff right there.

Beanstalk · 17-01-2021 3:45pm

Just watched that series of docs the other day. It's very well produced! The Rochefort one was deadly. Id love to have that experience!

17-01-2021 3:46pm

Give me at least a moped and you’re talking.

senordingdong · 17-01-2021 9:28pm

SlipperyPeople wrote: »

My rule aswell, always remember in the before times. Sunny sunday afternoon by the canal. Two of the Lads went off to get more Guinness and arrived back with 'they'd no guinness but shur this will do'

3 x 200 Fathoms each. Soon as they took a sip they knew they were fecked. I went home with mine they ended up on the beer till monday eve lol.

Who the hell still had 200 fathoms on the shelf that late into the year!?!

L1011 · 18-01-2021 12:39am

I know there were quite a few negative reviews of the White Hag Christmas box, but this could be a welcome distractions next week at least

https://www.thewhitehag.com/product/hoppy-january-craft-beer-bingo/

DrZeuss · 18-01-2021 12:55am

Don't forget to use the discount code that came with the christmas boxes (if you purchased), also stacks with the Clann discount if you have subscribed

accensi0n · 18-01-2021 12:59am

Had a beamish yesterday, was lovely.

TXPTGR1 · 18-01-2021 1:04am

L1011 wrote: »

I know there were quite a few negative reviews of the White Hag Christmas box, but this could be a welcome distractions next week at least

https://www.thewhitehag.com/product/hoppy-january-craft-beer-bingo/

No thanks I’ll take Heineken over white hag now any day
**** their can sizes and their novelty gimmick beers

Macy0161 · 18-01-2021 10:38am

I had the new Wicklow Wolf release over the weekend. Must pick up the White Hag Smash, as really impressed with this WW and Bru/ Craft Central Nelson Hopped beers.

senordingdong · 18-01-2021 10:47am

L1011 wrote: »

I know there were quite a few negative reviews of the White Hag Christmas box, but this could be a welcome distractions next week at least

https://www.thewhitehag.com/product/hoppy-january-craft-beer-bingo/

A cynic could argue that they are offloading the poorly received beers that they can't shift.

Macy0161 · 18-01-2021 11:16am

From what I saw on Facebook/ Instagram, they were pretty clear it was clearing the unsold "Hoppy Christmas" boxes. I'm definitely not a White Hag fanboy, but I haven't had too many bad experiences, albeit the feedback on here put me off getting the stouts!

L1011 · 18-01-2021 11:25am

There's an option to go for a "Bright" box which is what I went for; but its still starred warning it may have stouts in it!

youcancallmeal · 18-01-2021 11:49am

L1011 wrote: »

There's an option to go for a "Bright" box which is what I went for; but its still starred warning it may have stouts in it!

Is it 30 beers do you know? If so then decent value but still not sure I can bring myself to order, from experience most of them I will find mediocre to poor.

L1011 · 18-01-2021 12:06pm

Haven't seen any specific details on how many.

Assuming all cans, its listed as 12KG which would give maybe 11L of product after packaging weight is taken in to account so that would be about 30 if its a mix of 330 and 440.

SlipperyPeople · 18-01-2021 12:16pm

senordingdong wrote: »

Who the hell still had 200 fathoms on the shelf that late into the year!?!

Fresh camden street. Think it was in April.

DelmarODonnell · 18-01-2021 12:17pm

Yeah I went for the bright box as well, as I was afraid the dark box would be full of the pastry stouts.

I think their IPAs, Lagers have been brilliant for the last year. The stouts just seem to be too gimmicky, although I do enjoy the mint chocolate chip stout and their cauldron of plenty with the added coffee was great. And obviously Black Boar is a beast of a stout.

I'll always have a serious fondness for White Hag though. A group of us were down in Sligo for a wedding a few years ago and the day before booked in for the tour of the brewery. Joe led it and was really interesting, we had a couple of scientists/teachers who loved the science behind it. We had sampled a few bits as we went around but when the tour finished, he asked if we wanted to taste it straight from the tank? We all said yes, obviously and he then began filling cups straight from a hose connected to the tanks. So fast forward three hours later, we are all still stood between a tank of little fawn and puca, drinking to our hearts content, well on the way. Joe and the lads asked if anyone wanted to do a keg stand, I put my hand up not knowing what it was. A keg stand it turns out, was to get into a handstand position with people holding your legs to steady you and then you begin to chug straight from the keg (in this case fresh from the hose linked to the tank) until you can't take anymore. It was an unbelievable day, I still haven't repaid them with all the beer I have bought from them down the years.

18-01-2021 12:30pm

I'd buy a box of the Smashes or some of the core range, even though they're in 330ml, but definitely enough other breweries out there that I wouldn't be looking out for much new from them any more.

Zaph · 18-01-2021 2:07pm

Siren Cacao and Cherry Broken Dream. Not quite an imperial stout at 7.4%, but stronger than average so you wouldn't drink too many of them. Decent enough, not the best Broken Dream I've had but enjoyable all the same. Plenty of cherry sourness, but didn't really get any of the cacao or coffee flavours it was supposed to have.

Garage Coco Tears imperial stout. The can says it's brewed with coconut milk and toasted coconut chips, but if it was I suspect not much of either was used because there was zero coconut flavour, which is a shame because I love coconut. That said, it turned out to be a wonderfully rich, deep flavoured stout that hid its 11% almost completely. Very impressed with it.

Effects · 18-01-2021 6:16pm

200 fathoms in the fridge in Molloys on Francis St.

What beer are we drinking this week? Episode 3

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