For those of you who have been taking part in ‘Sober October’, well done and welcome back. For the rest of you, hello again and welcome to yet another exciting edition of ‘Wright’s Wide World Of Wondrous… Beers’, as absolutely nobody is calling it. Do you know how long I tried to think of a suitably alliterative word for ‘beers’ there? Far too long, I can tell you. If only I was talking about wine, then the whole thing might catch on.
Anyway, I digress. Here we go, stand back or by heavens.
Fallen Southbound
£2.90/5.4%/330ml
Firm favourites Fallen have recently taken on a new Head Brewer, Jamie Lockhart (who previously worked at Williams Brothers) and this is the first beer from them designed and brewed to one of his recipes. A ‘Peaches & Cream Pale’. From the name I was initially expecting a US style Cream Ale (a light lager style), but that’s probably because I wasn’t thinking clearly. Instead what we have a lactose laced pale, with plenty of peachy punch on the nose, full and creamy on the palate with just a little tropical hop bitterness on the finish to keep the sweetness of the fruit and the lactose in check.
Hanssens Oude Kriek
£7.80/6.5%/375ml
An all time favourite and one of the finest cherry Lambics, to my mind at least. Although these age really well I couldn’t resist taking a bottle home as soon as it hit the shelves (admittedly I gave it a day or two before tasting). Dark cherry – both sour and sweet - and that unmistakable Lambic musty cellar note combine on the nose, this is medium bodied and vinous on the palate with plenty more fruit, a little hay and a long lasting dry and fruity finish.
Rodenbach Alexander
£15.00/5.6%/750ml
Another sour Belgian offering, and one that was only spoken of in hushed historical tones for many years as Rodenbach had retired it from their core range. Fortunately this year has seen them set that right and hopefully we’ll start to see this on our shores with increased regularity. Last week I mentioned Flanders Reds and noted that Rodenbach was one of the classics of the style, this adds macerated cherries to the mix for an experience somewhere between wine and beer, with aromas of pickled cherries and vanilla. Smooth bodied with sweet cherry on the palate and just enough tartness from the beer to keep it beautifully balanced.
Swannay Old Norway
£3.40/8.0%/330ml
Stepping away from the sours, this is a Barleywine from Orkney’s Swannay Brewery. I have always been a fan of their incredible Porter, but on a recommendation from a friend I gave this one a go and it would be remiss of me not to pass that same recommendation on to you. A chewy, sweet fruitbread malt base is balanced out by tangy bitter tropical fruit hop character in the finish making for great balance.
Amundsen Rebel King
£4.30/8.5%/355ml
And before I leave you be for the week, I’ll round things off with this Imperial Stout from Norway’s Amundsen. This starts off with a very festive toasted nut/praline note on the nose before chocolate pudding and milky coffee join the party. Medium bodied and bittersweet on the palate, with hazelnut milk, dark chocolate and some liquorice notes and warm spice on the finish. If you’re looking for some pudding in a glass, this should definitely be on the list.
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