What beer are we drinking this week? Episode 3

BeginnerRunner · 16-04-2021 8:24pm

First Elvis Juice in a while today. When did it change from 6.5% to 5.1%?!

Equium · 16-04-2021 9:04pm

BPKS wrote: »

Also I see lidl are selling a range of Belgian beers next week, I wonder are they worth chancing for the fairly reasonable price (4 packs of Blonde/Dark/Triple Hop 10.5% abv - not sure if 250ml or 330 ml - for €10).

I'm a huge fan of Belgian ales, so picked up the Bornem, Gulden Draak and Piraat packs at a tenner each. They're usually €5 in Belgian Lidls, but anyway... Nice to see them here at all. Sampling the Gulden Draak now and it brings me back to drinking in the sun at the Gentse Feesten. Good times.

andekwarhola · 16-04-2021 9:48pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

Tried one of them the last time (Imperial Red IPA?) - went down the sink!

Actually liked it, although as said, I think the description of what style they are is misleading, at least to my mind.

andekwarhola · 16-04-2021 9:49pm

BeginnerRunner wrote: »

First Elvis Juice in a while today. When did it change from 6.5% to 5.1%?!

I think they've done a similar number on Hazy Jane too. Looking at the four pack the other day and I'm almost certain it was a much higher ABV before.

irish_goat · 16-04-2021 9:58pm

andekwarhola wrote: »

I think they've done a similar number on Hazy Jane too. Looking at the four pack the other day and I'm almost certain it was a much higher ABV before.

I think there's a Hazy Jane "family" now. OG Hazy Jane is the original strength one. https://www.brewdog.com/uk/og-hazy-jane-4-x-can

Same thing is being done for Elvis Juice.

Zaph · 16-04-2021 11:25pm

Hopfully California Uncommon. The can says it's a Spelt NEIPA. It's hazy, but that's where the similarity to what I'd consider a NE IPA ends. No juiciness or any real fruitiness to it. In fact there's not much of a hint of anything really. It doesn't taste bad, but it's wholly unremarkable. I'm a fan of Hopfully and can't say I've ever had one of their beers that I dislike, so they're probably allowed an occasional misstep. Still a disappointment though.

BonnieSituation · 19-04-2021 2:20am

This is as good as I've had in a long time. Astounding beer. bobbysands take note

CiaranMT · 19-04-2021 9:53pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

This is as good as I've had in a long time. Astounding beer. bobbysands take note

This will be in Ireland with a new label shortly.. as well as Deep Pool (8.0%) and Shallow Pool (0.3%).

poisonated · 19-04-2021 11:41pm

Had a Brooklyn defender the other day. Very nice beer!

BonnieSituation · 21-04-2021 1:20am

CiaranMT wrote: »

This will be in Ireland with a new label shortly.. as well as Deep Pool (8.0%) and Shallow Pool (0.3%).

Oooh. When, where, how?

I had the Deep Pool in my advent calendar along with the Passion Pool. Was lovely, but PP was on another plane.

bobbysands81 · 21-04-2021 11:49pm

Last weekend...

Tool - Black Malts and Body Salts. Didn’t really like this, not often I don’t like something this much but this was just dank.

Basqueland - Digital Symphony - Basqueland producing some great stuff and this is another good IPA from them. Thought it was very light on fizziness though.

Beer Hut - Glazed and Confused Donut Pastry Stout. Sounds sooooo good but just tastes like a sweet milk stout. Very disappointing.

Lough Gill - Chocolate Ox - Very good.

Other Half Brewing - Triple Cream - A nice creamy IPA.

Odell - Witkist Grapefruit White Ale. Nah.

White Hag - Festa Nuda - Qwality, well worth your money, another great tasting stout and tastes exactly how you would expect an Irish Coffee Stout to taste. Highly recommend.

bobbysands81 · 22-04-2021 12:03am

@Bonniesituation - I think you were asking about Amundsen “In Cafruits” a couple of weeks back.

I see Craft Central are currently stocking it - https://craftcentral.ie/products/amundsen-in-cafruits-cherry-raspberry-lemon-almond-pastry-sour-440ml-can-6-5-abv?variant=39272475721763

Cazale · 22-04-2021 6:48pm

Doing a bit of a spring clean. Put these bottles on a shelf a good few years ago to age a bit and promptly forgot about them. Gonna start working through them. Always a fan of the KBS, Chimay and 200 Fathoms especially.

BonnieSituation · 22-04-2021 9:37pm

Got a few Veltins in for the night.

However, this is how the evening had started:

Mikkeller Spontanacai Sour Ale Brewed with Acai & Aged in Oak Barrels

I feel like all of my Mikkeller reviews are gushing, but when they're good, they're good.

This is no different. The aroma is so pungent and flavoursome, lovely sharp sour taste and chewy sweet finish. Gorgeous rich purple colour. Wonderful.

flended12 · 22-04-2021 11:22pm

Had this tonight.

Meh! Disappointed, was expecting more

bobbysands81 · 23-04-2021 7:46am

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Got a few Veltins in for the night.

However, this is how the evening had started:

Mikkeller Spontanacai Sour Ale Brewed with Acai & Aged in Oak Barrels

I feel like all of my Mikkeller reviews are gushing, but when they're good, they're good.

This is no different. The aroma is so pungent and flavoursome, lovely sharp sour taste and chewy sweet finish. Gorgeous rich purple colour. Wonderful.

It was Mikkeller Beer Geek Vanilla Maple Shake that started me tasting all new beers. It blew my mind the first (and only) time I tasted it.

Beanstalk · 23-04-2021 9:38am

bobbysands81 wrote: »

It was Mikkeller Beer Geek Vanilla Maple Shake that started me tasting all new beers. It blew my mind the first (and only) time I tasted it.

you certainly set the bar high for yourself!

l14masasddadsg · 23-04-2021 10:03pm

Cazale wrote: »

Doing a bit of a spring clean. Put these bottles on a shelf a good few years ago to age a bit and promptly forgot about them. Gonna start working through them. Always a fan of the KBS, Chimay and 200 Fathoms especially.

Had that Sippin into Darknes in what I'm guessing was a newer bottle than you have there, superb beer!

matrim · 23-04-2021 10:07pm

Had a Garage Beer Soup Soup Soup Triple IPA. Lovely beer, I’ve loved the other iterations and this is up there with them.

BonnieSituation · 24-04-2021 1:16am

bobbysands81 wrote: »

It was Mikkeller Beer Geek Vanilla Maple Shake that started me tasting all new beers. It blew my mind the first (and only) time I tasted it.

I've been a convert for years of their stuff. But I just can't get my head around how they have such a range without a drop in quality.

That Spontanacai and Passion Pool are lingering on my mind. Just like that 1950s Locke's I had before Christmas at a tasting has just slotted itself into the pantheon. Bastards.

I've never had a Mikkeller beer and thought it was crap.

I've had a Mikkeller and not liked it, but could see that it was a well balanced version of whatever style it was.

[Last one I remember was their Vienna Lager. Not a style I like, but theirs was a good version of it. If that makes sense]

I don't understand how they manage to do it? Mindboggling.

Everything they throw out is just the best of stuff.

BeerNut · 24-04-2021 6:09pm

Just to be contrary (and I've been a Mikkeller fan since 2008) I think the beers that To Øl brews for them (Hop Opera, Game of Thrones) are much lower quality than the ones they get brewed at De Proef. That could just be my dislike of mucky hazy IPAs though.

l14masasddadsg · 25-04-2021 1:02pm

BeerNut wrote: »

Just to be contrary (and I've been a Mikkeller fan since 2008) I think the beers that To Øl brews for them (Hop Opera, Game of Thrones) are much lower quality than the ones they get brewed at De Proef. That could just be my dislike of mucky hazy IPAs though.

I thought the IPAs that came from De Proef were average enough too, probably preferring To Ol's iterations myself.

As an aside, De Proef seems like an incredibly well-run brewery, this video is worth a look if you haven't seen it.

BeerNut · 25-04-2021 1:35pm

l14masasddadsg wrote: »

As an aside, De Proef seems like an incredibly well-run brewery

When it's somebody else's beer on the line you're less likely to take shortcuts, I guess

Pinch Flat · 25-04-2021 5:12pm

Enjoying a mixed case of St mels at the moment. Had a brown ale, stout and finished with an IPA. All very good I have to say.

youcancallmeal · 28-04-2021 8:50pm

Had a can of the Mikkeller Game of Thrones IPA, not bad but leaves a bit of an unpleasant aftertaste, much like the show

BonnieSituation · 28-04-2021 10:40pm

Was in Aldi earlier and saw "Strana" Czech-style Pilsner. Seems to be from Pearse Lyons. Anyone else ever had it? Couldn't say no to grabbing a bottle at €1.29.

BeerNut · 28-04-2021 11:04pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Was in Aldi earlier and saw "Strana" Czech-style Pilsner. Seems to be from Pearse Lyons. Anyone else ever had it? Couldn't say no to grabbing a bottle at €1.29.

Yes, it's pretty good except for the skunking. I suspect it's the same liquid as Tesco's Manislav. A bargain either way.

BonnieSituation · 28-04-2021 11:08pm

BeerNut wrote: »

Yes, it's pretty good except for the skunking. I suspect it's the same liquid as Tesco's Manislav. A bargain either way.

That would make sense. And make it a gem of a bargain.

BPKS · 29-04-2021 11:53am

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Was in Aldi earlier and saw "Strana" Czech-style Pilsner. Seems to be from Pearse Lyons. Anyone else ever had it? Couldn't say no to grabbing a bottle at €1.29.

Got a few to have tomorrow night so will report back Saturday

BonnieSituation · 29-04-2021 12:15pm

BPKS wrote: »

Got a few to have tomorrow night so will report back Saturday

Ha ha.

I reckon I'll be tucking into mine tonight.

Will be nice to have something at that price point to go directly head to head with a bottle of Veltins I have.

It's been my go to cheap pilsner the last few weeks since SV Heuston have had a heap in stock.

Passenger · 02-05-2021 12:06am

Brú have really upped their game of late. Currently sipping on a Double Panda Tiramisu Stout. Rich and boozy.

ben.schlomo · 02-05-2021 1:11am

Passenger wrote: »

Brú have really upped their game of late. Currently sipping on a Double Panda Tiramisu Stout. Rich and boozy.

Had one of their ipas recently, the new series they released last year. It was in Lidl so I gave it a go. Thought it was fairly poor and not a patch on so much of what's available. Never really found any of their stuff to be anything bar average at best.

senordingdong · 02-05-2021 9:04am

Passenger wrote: »

Brú have really upped their game of late. Currently sipping on a Double Panda Tiramisu Stout. Rich and boozy.

I love the intense stouts that have a collision of sweetness and the booziness to cut through it.

But this past winter there looks to have been a spike in 'pastry' or 'dessert' stouts, where there's just a geansaí load of sugar dumped in and it looks like a cheap bandwagon jump.

I too think Brú have seriously upped their game since they acquired carrig and I hope double panda adds to this by falling into the former category I mentioned.

BaZmO* · 02-05-2021 10:24am

senordingdong wrote: »

I love the intense stouts that have a collision of sweetness and the booziness to cut through it.

But this past winter there looks to have been a spike in 'pastry' or 'dessert' stouts, where there's just a geansaí load of sugar dumped in and it looks like a cheap bandwagon jump.

I too think Brú have seriously upped their game since they acquired carrig and I hope double panda adds to this by falling into the former category I mentioned.

Yeah winter really was about the sickly sweet stouts. I don’t mind sweetness in beers but it can get too much at times and some of the Pastry Stouts are ridiculous.

Browar Stu Mostów x Whiplash - Old School Imperial Stout, as the name suggests was a lovely throwback to proper RIS’s. Liquorice, bitter chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla.

Effects · 02-05-2021 7:51pm

I had the double panda recently and thought it was a bit too sweet. Not bad though.

Mervyn Skidmore · 03-05-2021 12:42am

Metalman Heat Sink smoked chilli porter, absolutely rotten. Might have to tip this down the sink.

Edit: Being the tight ba$tard that I am I finished it. Did not enjoy at all.

Cazale · 04-05-2021 8:23pm

An old bottle of Founders KBS. Lovely stuff.

Zaph · 04-05-2021 10:23pm

Passenger wrote: »

Brú have really upped their game of late. Currently sipping on a Double Panda Tiramisu Stout. Rich and boozy.

Drinking one at the moment and very much enjoying it. I've only ever been disappointed by Bru in the past, but I decided to take a chance as this looked like it was tailor made for me. Glad I did, it's a big step up from anything of theirs I've had before.

ilyag · 04-05-2021 10:30pm

I had a Cherry Timmermans Kriek recently. Mild and not too sweet.

BonnieSituation · 05-05-2021 12:42am

Zaph wrote: »

Drinking one at the moment and very much enjoying it. I've only ever been disappointed by Bru in the past, but I decided to take a chance as this looked like it was tailor made for me. Glad I did, it's a big step up from anything of theirs I've had before.

I've been ignoring them as well for the same reason. Even having the bar right beside me in Kilmainham wasn't tempting enough to call in.

Will take this advice now.

senordingdong · 05-05-2021 9:47am

BonnieSituation wrote: »

I've been ignoring them as well for the same reason. Even having the bar right beside me in Kilmainham wasn't tempting enough to call in.

Will take this advice now.

Their original beers were very bad, but since they acquired Carrig brewing, they have improved.
Granted they're just sticking their name on Carrigs beers, but technically it counts.

matrim · 05-05-2021 9:57am

I had the Tutti Frutti and Panda Nero last year and enjoyed them. Nothing earth shattering but good solid beers.

senordingdong · 05-05-2021 10:05am

matrim wrote: »

I had the Tutti Frutti and Panda Nero last year and enjoyed them. Nothing earth shattering but good solid beers.

Their range is largely generic but there were some stand outs, their red ipa Atlantic odyssey was nice, king Nelson and the belgian trippl they have out at the moment too.

Macy0161 · 05-05-2021 10:20am

Loved King Nelson, Osiris my favourite of the Core range. Coalface (Black IPA) hasn't made a reappearance since the merger - that was my favourite and regular of the Carrig beers. An old Brú favourite of mine was Darkside that disappeared with the merger too now I think of it.

BeerNut · 05-05-2021 11:10am

senordingdong wrote: »

since they acquired Carrig brewing, they have improved.
Granted they're just sticking their name on Carrigs beers, but technically it counts.

Other way around. Carrig acquired them, and the right to stick the BRÚ name on their own beers.

senordingdong · 05-05-2021 11:25am

BeerNut wrote: »

Other way around. Carrig acquired them, and the right to stick the BRÚ name on their own beers.

Sounds, thanks for that.

Blisterman · 07-05-2021 1:50pm

See the full strength Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is back in pint cans. Haven't seen it in a few years. Hope it's as good as I remember it being.

silliussoddius · 07-05-2021 6:11pm

Blisterman wrote: »

See the full strength Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is back in pint cans. Haven't seen it in a few years. Hope it's as good as I remember it being.

Is Hop Bullet easily available in Ireland, one of my go to beers. They have also stopped producing Summerfest this year, releasing a Session IPA instead.

BeerNut · 07-05-2021 7:06pm

silliussoddius wrote: »

Is Hop Bullet easily available in Ireland

Pretty much, yes.

08-05-2021 12:06am

I've just finished a bottle of Smokey Li, I don't usually go for smoked beers but this was quite enjoyable. Strong, but very smooth and drinkable.

What beer are we drinking this week? Episode 3

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