Sometimes I spend hours labouring over a suitable preamble on which to hang my round up of five favourites for the week and other times I find myself so overly effusive in my tasting notes that I barely leave myself a chance to say hello. This week definitely falls into the latter camp so without further ado I give you four firm favourites and a short but thoroughly enjoyable detour into Cider country.
Beavertown Humuloid
£3.60/8.7%/330ml
If you wade back a month or two you’ll note me espousing my new found depth of delight in Beavertown’s Lupuloid, so it’s no great wonder that I was immediately drawn to this Imperial strength take on the beer. The nose has a similar balance of tropical fruit notes, with some added kiwi and an extra pungency. It’s rich on the palate, with an added level of sweetness to the standard take but with similar tasting notes of zesty citrus, more tropical fruit and a pithy bitter grapefruit note that keeps everything in balance. All too easy to quaff at speed considering the ABV, this is a cracking potent IPA and definitely worthy of at least some of the praise I have seen and heard lavished upon it.
Northern Monk Patrons Projects 7.04 Saesoner DDH Farmhouse Pale
£5.40/5.6%/440ml
I noted that the latest iteration in Northern Monk’s exploration of the saison used a Dupont yeast strain and I would have to admit that as I think Dupont is the saison by which all others are measured I was a little hesitant that this wouldn’t measure up. Fortunately they bring something extra to the table with wheat and oats for extra body and the use of Nelson Sauvin hops adding an extra vinous note and some sharp zesty citrus and gooseberry to accompany that yeasty spice.
Little Pomona Old Man & The Bee
£4.80/7.0%/500ml
In a break from the norm, this is in fact not a beer but a cider. On Saturday we were lucky enough to have James from Little Pomona in to pour a couple of their range for us. The Unicorn was a naturally sparkling off dry number that I could have enjoyed all day but the one that I find my mind returning to again and again since is The Old Man & The Bee, still, bone dry with excellent tannins, some fresh floral notes and the sort of complexity that you would find in good wine. Grab a bottle and grab a slice/chunk/wheel of your favourite cheese for a match made in heaven.
Wylam Macchiato
£2.80/6.5%/330ml
Last week I mentioned this one in passing as it had disappeared from the shelves in double quick time. Fortunately we managed to grab a second batch and I can cover things in (only ever so) slightly more detail. Cold brew coffee, hazelnut and praline, malty toast and honey, this is a sweet afternoon treat in beer form. I don’t think it will be too long before the shelves are cleared again.
Fallen Big Raspberry Dog Chew
£4.80/10.0%/330ml
Less of a review than a public service announcement, I feel obliged to let you know that the deep joy and flavour unbridled of Fallen’s Big Raspberry Dog Chew is once again available and this year it’s in cans. No matter how they choose to deliver it to your tastebuds, this pudding in a glass is not one to be missed.
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