PDubyah: Beer - #178 - Garage Project

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Beer - #178 - Garage Project - Pernicious Weed

ah yes Garage Project Pernicious Weed, Brewed by Garage Project in the style of a India Pale Ale (IPA) and they do that in Windy Wellington, New Zealand.

650ml bottle of an 8% ABV beer, making it 4.1 standard drinks

The arrival of hops to the brewing scene in England in the 1500’s led to a moral panic. Hops were condemned as a “wicked and pernicious weed”, one which would lead to the erosion of social and moral standards. Thank goodness they were right. Here’s hoping that our homage to the original pernicious weed continues this gradual decline. Organic Rakau and whole cone Nelson Sauvin go head to head in this strong, golden, hoppy brew. Bitter, yes. Intensely hoppy, absolutely. Too much, never.

There's a cracking hop aroma on opening. Oh my giddy Aunt. Its very pale golden like a Lager, and has a decent foamy head and a nose full of grassy hoppiness.

Despite being very pale light brown\amber it's also very cloudy and murky, the head lasts too and does not die away to a pale film.

Oh gosh that's bitter.

There is a gorgeous collision of citrus tones, like grapefruits, that bang against grass, and altogether they have a really long length of taste.

However , there's not a lot a sweetness in this, it's fairly harsh at the edges. You'll forget you're drinking a fairly strong beer, and you'll be reaching for another. Despite it's uncouth nature the pdubyah-o-meter says 9 - making a great beer. a great great beer.

It's bitter, edgy and lacks finesse, but it has a certain devil-may-care about it that makes it a bit good. The New Zealand Craft beer makers should be paying attention to this. I think what I like as well is the off hand way they present their beers, sort go "here you go give this a crack" and I'm a bit jealous of that.

There is not a lot not to like about this, and I'm going to nurse what's left in my bottle. This is as good as or the equal of a beer I rate highly, and have brought again - the Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale. And now I'll be in a quandary about which to buy to satisfy my need to a hop hit.

Perhaps I'll have a taste off, if only Dan would get his A into G he'd enjoy this.