Beer 25 - Camerons Brewery, Monkey Stout

Hey all, tonight's ale up for review has to be Camerons Brewery, Monkey Stout. I have had this beer for 5 weeks now and every night i go out to the garage it is just staring me in the face. Well, tonight's the night. This is the first beer i have tried from Camerons Brewery and I'm really looking forward to it. This beer landed in my hands courtesy of "Beers of Europe".

Camerons Brewery, Monkey Stout

ABV 4.4%

Looks: This ale pours black with moderate carbonation with a one finger, tightly packed, bubbled, milky coffee head.

Aroma: This ale smells sweet with a dark chocolate aroma. There is a strong roast malt fragrance. The stout smells very rich, with roasted ground coffee and a hint of liquorish present.

Flavour: Oh my, what a stout. There is a nice mild oaky smokiness which is underpinned by the bitterness of dark chocolate. This ale is not bitter or sweet, its just right. the ale is very smooth but just a tad light.

Finish: This ale finishes with sweet coffee taste with a hint of faint dark chocolate bitterness.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Over all not a bad stout. I like the mild smokiness which is underpinned with a dark chocolate bitterness. I looking forward to reviewing more beers from Camerons Brewery very soon. This ale can be bought direct from the brewery.

http://www.cameronsbrewery.com

Beer 24 - Vibrant Forest Brewery, Black Oktober, Imperial Russian Stout

Tonight’s ale comes from Vibrant Forest Brewery. This will be the second ale I will have tried from this brewery and I am really looking forward to it as I have heard great reports about this imperial stout. This ale comes courtesy of Vibrant Forest Brewery.

Vibrant Forest Brewery, Black Oktober Imperial Russian Stout

ABV : 7.2%

Looks : This ale pours well with medium carbonation. It is black in colour with a small, tightly packed, bubbled, milk coffee coloured head.

Aroma : On the nose this ale is sweet with a dark chocolate and liquorice aroma. I can also detect dark fruits, possibly blackcurrant or over ripened figs.

Flavour : Wow!!!!! An explosion of strong flavours arouse the palate. Firstly you get a warm tingling sensation on the tongue followed by sweet dark fruits, possibly over ripened figs and juicy blackcurrants. This is then sharply followed by a deep coffee and dark chocolate bitterness which leaves a dry smokiness on the palate. There is a really nice tingling liquorice sweetness coating the mouth. Every sip is just craving another mouthful.

Finish : The ale finishes bitter and smokey with bursts of fruitiness with a tingling alcohol kick.

Rating : 10 out of 10

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!! Another amazing ale by Vibrant Forest Brewery. This truly is something special. All Russian Imperial Stout lovers please contact the brewery and purchase a case of this exceptional ale. I hope it will be present at Reading Real Ale and Cider Festival. Check out this brewery’s website for more information about this ale. http://www.vibrantforest.co.uk/

Beer 23 - Adnams Brewery, Broadside

Hey all fellow ale drinkers. Tonight I have an ale from Adnams Brewery, “Broadside”. I remember drinking this a few years ago in a bottle and thought it was excellent. Adnams Broadside commemorates the fierce battle of Sole Bay fought against the Dutch Republic in 1672 off the Southwold coast, just across the green from the brewery.

Adnams Brewery, Broadside

ABV : 6.3%

Looks : This ale pours well with good carbonation. It is dark mahogany in colour with a one finger, magnolia cream head.

Aroma : First thing that hits you is a strong alcohol smell, which is filled with nice fruity characters, possibly orange peel, lemon, currants and cherry. There is also a sherry aroma. I can also detect a hint of caramel malts and a slightly sweetened coffee aroma.

Flavour : Yes, Yes, Yes, this ale is like drinking a liquid Christmas cake. You get a great caramel malt tone which is laced up with winter fruits, possibly raisins, figs and dates. There is also a brown sugar taste as well as a warming alcohol kick. There is a hint of spice, possibly nutmeg and cinnamon.

Finish : This ale finishes sweet with a bitter tingle at the front of the tongue with a warming alcohol kick.

Rating : 9.5 out of 10

Another fantastic ale by Adnams Brewery. I reckon even though it has a high ABV I would still classify this as a session beer. The flavours work really well together especially the sweet dark fruits and spices. This ale can be purchased from most large supermarkets or directly from the brewery.

http://cellarandkitchen.adnams.co.uk/page/adnams-beers

Beer 22 - Dorset Brewing Company, Weymouth Wheat Beer, Silent Knight

Today’s ale is from a brewer, which I haven’t tried before, Dorset Brewing Company. Silent Knight is a fairly strong wheat beer which is described as being big, bold, dark but undercut with all the hall marks of wheat. This beer came courtesy of the Dorset Brewing Company.

Dorset Brewing Company, Weymouth Wheat Beer, Silent Knight

ABV: 5.9%

Looks : This ale pours well with medium carbonation. It is chest nut brown in colour with a one finger white head that disperses very quickly.
 very quickly.

Aroma : There is a caramel aroma with hints of brown sugar. A black treacle aroma sweetens the nose. There is also a fruity port smell.

Flavour : Firstly this beer is very sweet with a sherry and port taste to it. It is quite fruity but what definitely stands out is the stewed raisin taste. I can also detect a ripened fig flavour and its very yeasty. This beer is also very thin.

Finish : The finish is wet and raisin sweet with a slight bitter twinge, licking the back of the throat.

Rating : 7.5 out of 10

 

Not a bad wheat beer. I do love the high ABV, as I think it is what makes this beer stand out. For wheat beer lovers, this is definitely one to try. This beer can be bought directly from the brewery http://www.dbcales.com/

Beer 21 - Robinsons Brewery, Limited Edition, Build a Rocket Boys, created by Elbow

Tonight’s Ale is a very special one. It’s a collaboration ale with Robinsons Brewery and the band Elbow. This ale came to me courtesy of Robinsons Brewery.

Robinsons Brewery, Limited Edition – Build a Rocket Boys, created by Elbow

ABV : 4.0%

Looks : This ale pours well with medium carbonation. It is a deep golden clear colour with a one finger, small bubbled grayish white head.

Aroma : Sweet caramel and roasted malts hits the nose, followed by a fruit aroma, possibly fig or gooseberry.

Flavour : Oh, what a rich flavour, with bursts of dark sweet dried fruits, possibly over ripened plums, prunes and figs. I also detected a yeasty grain to this ale.

Finish : This ale is fruity with a dry bitter finish.

Rating : 8.0 out of 10

A very good, refreshing ale with a nice bitterness. This ale can be bought directly from the brewery. 

http://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/index.php/shop/robinsons-beers

Beer 20 - Adnams Brewery, American Syle IPA

Over the last few years I have often part-taken in a wide variety of Adnams ales as this to me is a great brewery producing excellent ales. Tonight I am going to review their American Style IPA. I am really looking forward to reviewing this ale as it is causing a storm within the beer reviewing world. Many people saying what an excellent beer produced by a mature brewery.

Adnams Brewery, American Style IPA  

ABV : 6.8%

Looks :This beer pours well with medium carbonation with bubbles rising from bottom of the glass up. The ale is dark golden in colour with very thin grayish white head.

Aroma : This beer offers wonderful citrus aromas especially light grapefruit and lemon. There is a floral presence, possibly orange blossom. Spicy notes are also detected. 

Flavour : This beer is very smooth with grapefruit bitterness and a hint of white grape sweetness arouses the palate. There is a rich spicy  flavour, possibly paprika and coriander. There are toffee malts present but these are very suttle.

Finish : The ale finishes dry with a grapefruit bitterness followed by tingling carbonation on the tongue.

Rating : 8.5 out of 10

This to me is a good example of an American Style IPA. Adnams Brewery have done really well creating an exciting ale with plenty of flavor and a good ABV. This ale can be bought through Adnams online beer store.

http://cellarandkitchen.adnams.co.uk/page/adnams-beers

Beer 19 - Vibrant Forest Brewery, Flying Saucer

Today’s ale is coming from a new brewery in Hampshire called Vibrant Forest Brewery. I am really looking forward to reviewing this ale as i have heard wonderful reports about this breweries commitment to producing unique and excellent ales. This ale come courtesy of Vibrant Forest Brewery.

Vibrant Forest Brewery, Flying Saucer

ABV : 4.3%

Looks : This ale pours with plenty of carbonation with a hazy burnt orange colour. The beer has a frothy, creamy, one finger head.

Aroma : The first smell hitting me has to be sweet caramel. This is then followed by a citrus burst, possibly lemon, grapefruit and orange. There seems to be an aroma of the liqueur Quantro

Flavour : There is a real explosion of flavours developing in my mouth. Firstly you are hit by strong citrus notes such as orange and then there is a bitter lemon tingle on the tongue. This is followed with floral grassy hops, very much daisy like. There is a sharp grapefruit bitterness and yeasty notes arousing the palate.

Finish : The finish is long with a dry grapefruit bitterness with bursting pockets of orange and lemon rolling off the tongue.

Rating : 8.5 out of 10

Now, now, now what a very special and unique beer produced by Kevin and his team at Vibrant Forest Brewery. This ale is very refreshing and has really deep complex flavours going on. Check out this new brewery and their beers. http://www.vibrantforest.co.uk/

Beer 18 - Dark Star Brewing Company, Espresso

I remember trying this ale at Reading Beer and Cider Festival a couple of years ago and I am really looking forward to reviewing the bottle version today. This ale was sent to me courtesy of Dark Star Brewing Company. It is described as being a rich beer using fresh ground Arabuca coffee beans.

Dark Star Brewing Company, Espresso

ABV : 4.2%

Looks : Black in colour with good carbonation with a one finger, tightly packed bubbled, light creamy brown head.

Aroma : This ale has a very strong espresso coffee smell as to be expected from the name. There is definitely is a pungent roasted malt aroma with a hint of grassy hops.

Flavour : At first there is a sweet hoppy taste, which is then followed sharply with a dry espresso bitter taste. There seems to be a hint of blackberry sweetness tingling the palate as it rolls of the tongue.

Finish : The finish is dry and bitter with a nice but not over powering espresso taste.

Rating : 8 out of 10.

This is a very good ale for people who love coffee and can appreciate deep rich flavours. It has a wonderful dry bitter finish, which is just craving another gulp. You can purchase this beer in most morrisons supermarkets.

Beer 17 - Dorset Piddle Brewery, Thunder Box Porter

This is the first beer I have reviewed from Dorset Piddle Brewery and it is one I am looking forward to. I love the quirky names and design features on the bottle labels. The Porter is described as being full bodied and “perfectly pukka winter drinking”.

Dorset Piddle Brewery, Thunder Box Porter

ABV : 4.5%

Looks : A very deep dark ruby, chestnut brown looking brew with a thin smokey silky  tan head, which disperses quite rapidly. The ale has moderate carbonation.

Aroma : A very sweet, dark chocolate aroma with hints of robust ground mild coffee. There is a hint of dark berry fruitiness, possibly blackberry or over ripened red grapes. There is a faint port smell

Flavour : What a wonderful sweet, dark chocolate taste laced with dark fruits, possibly blackberries and black currants with a hint of fig sweetness. The beer is very thin with a floral twang, maybe cherry blossom with a hint of sour apple. It has a unique bitterness to it. This is probably due to the chocolate malts or roasted grain used.

Finish : The beer finishes quite dry on the palate with a smooth but dry chocolate bitterness.

Rating : 7.5 out of 10

This is a good porter, which is laced with dark fruit sweetness’s. Very enjoyable on the palate. Please see the brewery website to find out were you can purchase this ale. http://dorsetpiddlebrewery.co.uk/acatalog/Piddle_Outlets.html

Beer 16 - Oakham Ales, CITRA

Hey beery peeps, tonight I am going to review CITRA by Oakham Ales. This brewery claims to be first in the UK to commercially brew with Citra hops. It is described as a light refreshing beer with pungent grapefruit, lycee and gooseberry aromas leading to a dry bitter finish. This beer came courtesy of Oakham Ales.

Oakham Ales, CITRA

ABV : 4.6%

Looks : A pale, hazy, golden ale with a foamy, tightly packed, bubbled, one finger pure white head. This ale poured with moderate carbonation

Aroma : This ale smells very fresh with grapefruit and lemon aromas with a hint of coriander. There is a wonderful green hoppines to this ale.

Flavour : Straight away there is an explosion of dry grapefruit followed by the tartness of gooseberries. There is a light sweetness possibly white grape and pear with a nice dry bitterness.

Finish : This ale is very dry and bitter with a strong grapefruit flavor dominating.  

Rating : 9.5 out of 10

What a fantastic beer produced by Oakham Ales. This really is a unique beer. I love the CITRA hops, which gives this thirst quenching grapefruit taste. Well done, everyone at Oakham, Visit their website to read more about this wonderful ale. http://www.oakhamales.com/beers.html

Beer 15 - Daniel Thwaites, Bottled Conditioned Old Dan

After having a couple of Purple Moose Brewery beers tonight I decide to crack open Daniel Thwaites, Old Dan. I have been eyeing this up for the last two months but decided to let it rest in the garage for awhile. This beer is sent courtesy of Thwaites Brewery. It is described as a vibrant copper hue with lovely ‘fruit cake’ flavours. Like fine wine, will age well and mellow over time, with increased fruitiness.

Beer 14 - Black Sheep Brewery, Monty Python's Holy Grail

Hey all, tonight I am going to review Black Sheep Breweries, Monty Python’s Holy Grail. I have been waiting patiently to crack this beer open. This ale was specially commissioned to commemorate the 30^th Anniversary of Monty Python in 1999. It is described as a full - flavoured golden ale with a distinctly fruity flavour.

Beer 13 - Robinson's, Old Tom Strong Ale

Hey fellow beer drinkers, today I am going to reviewing Old Tom Strong Ale by Robinson's Brewery. This ale has won numerous awards and has won the world’s best beer. This beer has come to me courtesy of Robison’s Brewery

Robinson’s, Old Tom Strong Ale

ABV : 8.5%

Looks : A really good looking brew, deep cola brown in colour with hints of ruby as it hits the light. Pours with medium carbonation and leaves a two finger, off white head, which disappears slowly

Aroma : At first you can smell  strong caramel malts, which then develops into sweet dark fruits, possibly raisins or really ripened plums. There is also a hint of chocolate.

Flavour : The flavor just explodes in your mouth. There are deep roasted malts with a biscuit and caramel edge to them. Then there is this tart but juicy, plum and raisin sweetness which is under laced with a warming alcohol kick. The sweetness is enriched with brown sugar and a milk chocolate undertone. Very smooth on the palate with medium carbonation

Finish : This strong ale finishes dry on the palate with a brown sugar sweetness, dispersed with busts of fruitiness.  

Rating : 9.0 out of 10

This to me is a very good example of an excellent strong ale. There are plenty of flavours arousing the palate, ending with a warming but gentle alcohol kick. This ale can be bought from various supermarkets or purchased online from the brewery shop http://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/catalog/category/view/id/4

Beer 12 - Badger Ales, Hopping Hare

Evening all, the ale of choice today has come from Badger Ales, Hopping Hare. This beer has come courtesy of the brewery in a beautiful gift set called the “Countryside Sett”

Badger Ale, Hopping Hare

ABV : 4.%

Looks : This ale is light golden in colour with moderate carbonation and a one finger foamy white head which dispersed within a minute

Aroma : Strong buttery aroma with hints of caramel/ butterscotch. There is also a floral and citrus fruit mix going on with a slight white grape sweetness.

Flavour : The taste is fairly hoppy with light citrus notes, possibly grapefriut rounded off with a caramel/butterscotch bitterness. There seems to be that usual biscuit malt taste associated with many Badger Ales.  There is a strange woody/twig earthy note to this beer.

Finish :  Nice long dry bitterness

Rating : 7 out of 10

This ale was quiet refreshing and had that extra dry bitterness, which I like. Badger Ales are well known though out the UK and can be purchased from major supermarkets or directly from the brewery http://www.badgerdirect.com/

Beer 11 - Purple Moose Brewery - Dark Side Of The Moose

Tonight's ale comes from the far fields of North Wales. Purple Moose were one of the first breweries to send ales to be reviewed for the Real Ale Of Britain Book. I have had some of their ales before on cask in the Hobgoblin Pub in Reading. Tonight’s ale will be Dark Side of the Moose, described as deep ruby, dark bitter with a deliciously rich fruity bitterness.

Beer 10 - Samuel Smith's, The Famous Taddy Porter

Hey all, today i am going to review “The Famous Taddy Porter by Samuel Smiths Brewery. Really looking forward to this porter as it is the first Samuel Smiths beer i have had. This beer is courtesy of “Beers Of Europe”

Beer 9 - Fyne Ales, Jarl

Two weeks ago Fyne Ales sent me some beers in the post to be reviewed for my Book “Real Ale Of Britain”. Tonight I am going to review "Jarl" described as a hoppy blond session ale.

Fyne Ales, Jarl

ABV : 3.8%

Looks : Light straw in colour with medium carbonation and a feathery, lacy, two fingered white head.

Aroma : There is a very strong grapefruit citrusy scent with a hint of lemon zest. There is also a sweet biscuit malt aroma.

Flavour : A nice thirst quenching, bitter grapefruit hop taste with a white grape sweetness. A leafy grain with a hint of mild spice arouses the palate.

Finish :  Nice long bitterness with a dry grapefruit finish.

Rating : 8.5 out of 10

A really interesting and unique beer by Fyne Ales. I really enjoyed this beer especially its extremely dry hoppy character. I would consider this to be a very light session beer and im sure it would make great drinking with Indian cuisene. Beers can be bought from Fyne Ales online store http://fyneales.com/

Beer 8 - Coniston Brewery, Bottle Conditioned Bluebird Bitter

Over the last few months I have heard a lot of people talking about Coniston's Brewery  on Twitter and what wonderful beers they brew. Fortunately for me I was sent a bottle of Bluebird Bitter courtesy of "Beers of Europe", which I am going to review tonight.

Beer 7 - Thwaites, Wainwright

I am really looking forward to reviewing this ale as I have heard great reports about it. This ale is courtesy of Thwaites Brewery and will feature in “Real Ale of Britain” Book.

Thwaites, Wainwright

ABV : 4.1%

Looks : Rustic golden orange with two finger soft light bubbled head

Aroma : Earthy Hoppiness, orange citrus with a sweet lemony and peachy blossom floral coming through with a hint of honey

Flavour : Nice refreshing citrus peel possible lemon/orange with grassy peachy floral hops. Hints of honey present

Finish : Dry with floral hops and a touch of honey 

                                                               Rating : 7 out of 10